Illustrating femininity in the Arab World
An interview with Sonia Ben Salem
Sonia Ben Salem is a Franco-Tunisian illustrator with a growing body of vibrant, political work.
Raised across Italy, France, and Tunisia, Ben Salem grew up with aspirations to become a veterinarian, but found her way into art school where she specialised in graphic design.
In 2018, Ben Salem joined the illustration studio Atelier Glibett in Tunisia where she continues to develop her distinctive graphic style.
Ben Salem draws Tunisian scenes filled with self-mockery, spontaneity, and humour. These images capture the sensations of her home, and the memories of her grandmother, mint tea, and the smell of jasmine in the streets of Tunis.
“The illustration community is very small in Tunisia,”
“each of us trying to survive on our own. We don't have any schools or training in this field; we're all self-taught!
“But things are starting to change and develop little by little, thanks to the various cultural and artistic events we hold.”
Ben Salem captures daily scenes and moments from the street life of Tunis, such as a quick shoe shine, the daily baking of bread, or her preparation for her cousin’s wedding.
“I’m preparing my legs,” she writes, “for the beautiful blood-red dress that I plan to wear.”
This illustration, “Gossip on the roof”, captures the rooftops in Tunis medina. Rooftops are an important architectural element in Tunisian life, where parties are held, carpets are washed, and, above all, the latest news is exchanged.
“What fascinates me in this profession is freedom.
My freedom to convey my femininity in the Arab world, especially through artistic projects.”
Ben Salem came to our attention at Shorthand through her illustration of this powerful story, “What were you wearing?” by Oxfam, which examines the discrimination and misogyny of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and the lack of agency women have over their own bodies.
“What fascinates me in this profession is freedom,” says Ben Salem, “my freedom to convey my femininity in the Arab world, especially through artistic projects.”
“I saw the invitation to tender for the Oxfam project on the internet by chance, and I responded immediately, because the subject spoke to me. I have suffered the same harassment in my country, so I felt compassion and concern for these girls,” Salem says.
“The patriarchy of Arab society is the first enemy of women's emancipation! And we still have such a long way to go. Tunisia is a pioneer for women in the Arab world.”
“I wanted to be a veterinarian... now I'm an illustrator…
I wanted to be free... I'm married and a mother…
I wanted to be a vegetarian, every Saturday steak frites…
I’m a crazy Franco-Tunisian who loves to tell stories who loves to tell stories through her drawings...
life's too short without imagination... I want to live!”
In 2022, Ben Salem released her first children’s book, “L’Histoire du chat qui boude” by Mohammed Dib, and inspired by a traditional North African tale.
“I love it when worlds and characters just pop into my head,” says Ben Salem, “and I’m able to create a visual story by taking them on a journey.”
“I love it when worlds and characters just pop into my head,”
“and I’m able to create a visual story by taking them on a journey.”
Ben Salem creates her work both by hand and digitally. She works quickly in pencil when an idea first strikes her and will test out different compositions. Then, she will draft and clean it up in Procreate, or sometimes she will start with the computer, drafting and testing out her ideas digitally.
Ben Salem has also illustrated Shorthand stories for the International Finance Corporation about climate resilience in the Caribbean. She captures the voices of Caribbean academics and activists in her bright, patterned illustrations — a different, vibrant aesthetic from the normal profile picture that a reader might expect in this type of report.
All images courtesy of Sonia Ben Salem and Atelier Glibett.
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