Researcher, Artist, Educator
Taking inspiration from postcolonial theorists, philosophers, academic scholars, photographers and artists, Zarifah investigates the construction of sociopolitical identity.
She facilitates an artistic intervention on the postcolonial understanding of the social and political systems that continue to serve hierarchies of power.
Informed by her third culture-identity and second-generation migrant background, Zarifah utilises her Malaysian and Saudi Arabian identity as a bridge in understanding the ethical considerations when discussing global affairs, with a focus on the Global Majority discourse.
Zarifah’s methodology engages with history, archival material, visual cultures, and decoloniality. Through this critical discourse, she responds to the themes of resurfacing untold and marginalised narratives, complexities of our contemporary moments, and the pluralities of a postcolonial liberation.
At the root of criticality, Zarifah has worked within the sectors of video art, photography, zine, book arts, and design.
She has participated in the Experimental Biography Symposium at Royal College of Art (RCA) 2026, Fashion Academics Creating Equity (FACE) x Royal College of Art (RCA) Summit 2024, placement with the Guardian Archive, teaching sessions on photography and ethics, and co-delivery of workshops at London College of Fashion and London College of Communication.
Zarifah holds a Masters Degree in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography and a Bachelor's Degree in Media Communications, both obtained at the University of the Arts London (UAL). In 2026, she will obtain a Masters of Research (Mres) at Royal College of Art.