Zaym Zarif (b. 1997, Malaysia) is a visual artist and photographer based in Glasgow. Working primarily with self-portraiture, their practice explores identity, vulnerability, memory, and the fluid boundaries between truth and performance. Through staged portraits, role-play, and collaborative projects, Zaym investigates the intimate complexities of human relationships while challenging conventions of representation.
They studied Fine Art Photography in Malaysia before completing a Master’s in Communication Design at The Glasgow School of Art, where they specialized in self-portraiture. Their work has been exhibited internationally in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Paris, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, with highlights including SHALS x Benefit Cosmetics (Singapore, 2021), IESA Gallery (Paris, 2021), Multilingual Matters (Glasgow, 2025), and Drag Me Up at Salt Space Gallery, Glasgow (2025) and often draws upon personal history, cultural heritage, and the act of becoming both subject and storyteller.
By turning the lens inward, Zaym creates spaces of empathy and dialogue, inviting audiences to reflect on their own identities and perceptions.