“Trust isn’t given — you earn it by showing up again and again.”

Artist, photographer, and cultural archivist Halima Abubakar shares with us how growing up across different regions of Nigeria shaped her understanding of identity, belonging, and perception. She traces her journey from studying mechanical engineering to becoming a visual storyteller focused on documenting disappearing traditional tattoo practices in Northern Nigeria. Halima explains the origins of her Kwalia project, her immersive, relationship-driven approach to documentation, and the ethical challenges of preserving intimate cultural histories while respecting community consent and agency.

To learn more about her work, click on the link below:

https://www.halimabelloabubakar.me/kwalliya-the-evolution