My Little Dark Age is a surreal series that explores the effects of death on life. I was faced with grief for the first time when my father passed away unexpectedly. In the aftermath, art became therapeutic in making sense of a new reality. Trauma can be a powerful creative force, and in grief, I created my most meaningful work. A thought-provoking, cathartic series on loss and feeling lost. Welcome to My Little Dark Age.

I Against I:Me Vs Me

By AliFaroukSaloum
My Little Dark Age is a surreal series that explores the effects of death on life. I was faced with grief for the first time when my father passed away unexpectedly. In the aftermath, art became therapeutic in making sense of a new reality. Trauma can be a powerful creative force, and in grief, I created my most meaningful work. A thought-provoking, cathartic series on loss and feeling lost. Welcome to My Little Dark Age.

My Little Dark Age

The rippling consequences of a single decision

Butterfly Effect

The Tree of Life motif holds different interpretations across cultures, religions, mythology, and philosophy. It is often a symbol of the connection with our ancestors and a metaphor for the passage of time from life to death. Since my father’s passing in 2019, I have contemplated life and death more than ever. Reading the different meanings of the Tree, and seeing the many artists who have used it as a symbol in their work, I was inspired to create my own version.  
This is my third concept utilizing Persian rugs, which are a staple in Middle Eastern homes. Since 2019 they have taken on a more personal meaning and I began incorporating them into my work. The first piece was “United in Grief” shot in 2021. The second was "Bloodbuzz Michigan" shot in 2022. Tree of Life in 2023.

Tree Of Life

Light Years

In 2020 the world descended into a dark new age of conspiracy. Escaping the rabbit hole can be a struggle for survival.

Escape Conspiracy

Inspired by a pivotal learning experience when I was a child, and a reminder to continue pushing limits through life to avoid a slow burn.

Slow Burn

Ft. Charlesa - Shot on 1/10/2022

Charlesa is signed to Our Model Management in Detroit. After this shoot, she took her first trip to New York. She modeled for two pieces in my new collection, “Haunted by Hindsight” and “Through Thick and Thin” with Aayliah.

Windows #66

Windows is a polaroid series I started in 2018 and continues to this day. Taking inspiration from the "window shot" in European filmmaking, which is the final setup of the day, these polaroids represent the last look of the day and a window into the subject's personality. Before starting this series, I had never shot instant film before. The idea only came to me after my wife found her vintage Onestep camera and considered tossing it (not thinking it still worked) before I quickly interjected. Windows #1 is the very first polaroid I ever shot. Unfortunately, my wife's camera that started this all was stolen—that hurt. The camera was easily replaceable but not the sentiment. I'm dedicating this collection to my stolen camera, without you none of this would have been possible, OG. 

Ft. Amanda and Betty - Shot on 07/15/2022

Windows #80

Windows Polaroid Series

Original portrait for "Naomi" (2023)  
A collaboration between Ali Farouk Saloum and crow.  
Portrait shot in 2018 on Kodak Portra/Remixed in 2023 with analog + digital layering.

Naomi Edition

Smile You're On Camera

Ali Farouk Saloum Editions

Ali Farouk Saloum on SuperRare

My Little Dark Age #42

My Little Dark Age #21

My Little Dark Age Edition

2020 saw our world change forever. The lockdown went from two weeks to a month to months, and the further it went the effects of isolation settled in, and it hit us all. With the rise of misinformation, conspiracies, and uncertainty, a mass psychosis overwhelmed the population. Over time it has not improved. The vaccine, and new variants have only caused more tension. We certainly can't go back to how things were before 2020, but time will tell how we heal post-lockdown. 

Shot December 2020
Art/audio mixed by me
Model: Sasha

Q/Lockdown/2020

Daydreamer 

Foundation

Windows #86

Windows #97

Imposter Syndrome was created back in October 2022. It was shortly after selling out my first surreal photography collection. Afterward, I felt a strong sense of reassurance that the work I was creating was very personal and resonated with others. Quickly after imposter syndrome set in, something which I’ve struggled with for years now, especially after becoming a full-time artist almost a decade ago. This piece is a reconciliation of various self-perceptions, of the imposters, and your true self.

Imposter Syndrome

Last Smoke is an excerpt from Imposter Syndrome. The imposter is lying on the pavement with a blindfold over his eyes and a cigarette in his mouth, while another version of the character stands over and leans in to light the cigarette. A final cigarette was given to a person facing execution. Our character attempts to do away with his self-doubt, the imposter side of himself.

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