Omar Badsha speaks about his Sharjah Biennial 15 work.

‘Once We Were Warriors: Women and Resistance in the South African Liberation Struggle’ (1981–1999) is a photographic series documenting protest movements and political activism as well as some of the key individuals who fought for the abolition of apartheid. In this series of black-and-white images, Badsha depicts the important and underreported stories of women in the anti-apartheid movement.

Influenced by his father, Badsha grew up with a generation of artist-activists that emerged after the massacre of 249 peaceful protesters by apartheid police in Sharpeville, South Africa. His works focus on themes of identity, alienation and politics.