Sharjah Hosts Xposure 2024, A Beacon for Global Photography and African Perspectives
SHARJAH — The eighth annual International Photography Festival, Xposure 2024, concluded its vibrant showcase from February 28 to March 5, featuring a compelling mix of art, conservation, and cultural immersion.
According to Africa News Agency, the event, staged in Sharjah, the cultural capital of the UAE, drew participants and photographers from across the globe, offering over 200 events, including 66 workshops aimed at exploring the world through diverse photographic lenses.
The festival, under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, emphasized the critical message of environmental conservation, underlined by the poignant statement, “There is no plan B because we don’t have a planet B.” This year’s Conservation Summit, a key feature of the festival, underscored the urgency of preserving our planet, integrating powerful visuals of natural beauty, warfare, and disasters in a moving video tribute to journalists lost in conflict, particularly highlighting the sacrifices of those covering the war on Gaza.
Xposure 2024 also served as a platform to elevate Sharjah’s cultural profile, showcasing its ambitions to be recognized as a world-renowned cultural capital. The event celebrated the city’s unique blend of tradition and modernity through the lens of 25 talented photographers, including notable names like Anoop Basheer and Rajesh Balakrishna Menon, as part of the #SeeSharjah campaign.
A significant highlight was the robust participation of African photographers, bringing a fresh narrative to the continent’s representation through photography. The “Dream of Bamako” pavilion, led by Igo Diarra, founder of the Bamako Biennale, featured artists from across Africa, offering an immersive experience into the continent’s diverse cultures and perspectives. Photographers like Mário Macilau from Mozambique and Tamary Kudita from Zimbabwe stressed the importance of African photographers capturing their own narratives, showcasing the continent’s elegance and beauty through their work.
The festival’s success in incorporating African voices was noted by Nigerian author Abdallah Sabo, marking this year as a significant moment for African participation. Xposure 2024 has achieved its mission of offering a global stage for photographers to share their visions, fostering a deeper understanding of the world through visual art, and empowering participants with workshops on photography, cinema, and visual media arts.