Congratulations to Corcoran alums Sana Ullah and Mimi d’Autremont, both recent M.A. New Media Photojournalism graduates, whose works were on display in September at the IFC - International Finance Corporation as part of its Diversity and Inclusion week. The event brought together IFC staff, World Bank staff, and corporate leaders with young artists for bold and inspiring discussions.
MEET MIMI D’AUTREMONT
While working on her M.A. in New Media Photojournalism at the Corcoran, d’Autremont produced photo and video pieces about Deaf football, U.S. Diplomats living abroad (a commission project with the U.S. Department of State), firefighters, and a local burlesque performer, among others.
Her documentary project, “Anyone Like Me" was featured at the IFC’s Diversity and Inclusion week. It explores the intersection of Deaf culture and America’s favorite pastime: football. The Gallaudet University Bison of Washington, D.C. are the world’s only collegiate Deaf and Hard of Hearing football team. This project follows coach Shelby Bean, 25, a Hard of Hearing man and former Bison team captain. Shelby, along with his players, say before they came to Gallaudet they shared the experience of marginalization for their perceived ‘disability,’ and sports was often the only place they ever felt normal. When Shelby came to Gallaudet as a freshman he didn’t know anything about Deaf culture or ASL, but through the football team he found his place within the culture and his Hard of Hearing identity.
d'Autremont recently relocated to Boston to continue her career as a photographer and filmmaker. In her spare time she enjoys being outside either biking, hiking, or running.
Check out more of her work at http://mimidautremont.com.
"Hard of Hearing" artwork on display at the IFC event by Mimi d'Autremont
MEET SANA ULLAH
While attending the Corcoran School at GWU, Sana Ullah has had the opportunity of working with several organizations on various multimedia projects. She has prepared, directed, shot, edited, produced and exhibited work within the Corcoran, for the Smithsonian Institution, the U.S. State Department, the National Press Club, as well as overseas with the Bezalel Academy of Jerusalem.
In addition to being displayed at the IFC’s Diversity and Inclusion week event, her MA Thesis, “Places You’ll Pray”, continues to grow on Instagram and is curated via the #PlacesYoullPray. This project has exhibited at the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design, the Smithsonian Institution's Dillon Ripley Center, the National Press Club, The World Bank and more. It has also been featured in several news outlets including Buzzfeed, Quartz, and The Huffington Post. The project is a collection of simple, yet vibrant images of young American Muslims praying in public spaces outside of a mosque. Each image is then paired with a quote by the subject speaking on a specific memory pertaining to prayer, or the individual’s personal thoughts on the significance of prayer. While some images are preconceived, others are spontaneous moments. The intention is to open a floor of open-minded and educated conversations about identity, religion, stereotypes and spirituality.
Ullah graduated from the Corcoran in May 2017 with her MA in New Media Photojournalism and began working with PBS KIDS as their social media and marketing intern for the summer. Aside from work, Sana Ullah is an avid kayaker and enjoys spending her weekends exploring family-owned restaurants, museums, and/or local parks.
Check out more of her work, as well as her full bio at http://www.sanaullahphotography.com.
"Places We Pray" artwork on display at the IFC event by Sana Ullah