Sharjah to host world's best photographers at International Photography Festival

Sharjah will play host to a diverse line up of photo talent as 51 of the world’s best photographers from across all over the world will advance the art and appreciation of photography at the fifth edition of the Xposure International Photography Festival, to be held from February 10 -13 at Expo Centre Sharjah.

Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), Sharjah’s annual four-day celebration of photography is an exciting opportunity to check out wildlife and news photography to conceptual works, documentary photography, and stories that embrace global social, political, and environmental issues, as well as visual explorations of cultural and personal experiences, Xposure 2021 will present a broad range of formats, narratives, and subjects that both challenge and enhance the photographic medium.

Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of Sharjah Government Media Bureau, said: “The presence of 51 globally acclaimed photographers for the fifth edition of Xposure attests to its growing importance on the global cultural calendar for those who want to break new ground, and debate, develop and challenge the idea of what photography is and can be, now and in the future. For art and photography enthusiasts and our multicultural audiences, Xposure is a dedicated platform devoted to fostering new perspectives in visual language as well as discovering new ways to use photography.”

He added: “As one of MENA region’s leading photography platforms, Xposure also serves to raise our awareness of compelling issues around the world as highly acclaimed photographers share their global experiences, knowledge and expertise, helping nurture and propel the next generation of creative artists onto the international stage.”

Aaron Gekoski travels the planet to document man’s complex relationship with nature and his confronting, arresting imagery provides a snapshot of human-animal conflict in the 21st century.

Sharjah’s Abdulla Albuqaish has connected his love of architecture and the buildings in his homeland to nurture his specialisation in the art of cityscape photography.

Founder and owner of Verbatim Photo, Aidan J. Sullivan represents some of the globally acclaimed filmmakers and photojournalists and has worked across multiple aspects of the media industry.

UAE-based, UK fine art photographer Anthony Lamb, is infatuated with water and negative spaces and incorporates stillness and silence in his work to delve into the emotional story of the image.

The conceptual approach of still life photography is one of Antonio Coelho’s strong points as it allows him to merge his lifelong passion for art with photography.

Moving from advertising and fashion photography to photojournalism, India’s Ashok Verma, a senior photojournalist based in the UAE, is excited by the challenges of street photography.

‘Light’ is a prime concern for Pakistan’s Atif Saeed who turns his lens on beautiful and remote wilderness locations to satisfy his personal love of nature and his passion for adventure.

Beno Saradzic is a UAE-based Slovenian fine art photographer whose exceptionally envisioned, technically complex visuals are executed with ambitious post-production techniques.

South African Brent Stirton uses his documentary work to shine light on issues relating to wildlife and conservation, global health, diminishing cultures, sustainability, and the environment.

A worldwide traveller whose artistic vision is shaped by his global experiences, Brian Hodges specialises in portraits and documentary photojournalism that make a powerful connection to a place.

Fascinated with capturing nature in natural light, Chris Coe experiments with both movement and light and is the founder of the prestigious Travel Photographer of the Year Award.

Working in collaboration with Save the Children Netherlands, Chris de Bode captures the dreams of children worldwide and covers issues relating to Syrian refugees.

Claire Thomas is a freelance photojournalist and photographer from Wales, UK, whose work focuses on conflict, humanitarian, and social issues in diverse and remote corners of the world.