SHARJAH: Pictures taken for Arab News featuring some of Saudi Arabia’s most successful professional women will go under the spotlight at a major photography event taking place in the UAE.
Works from the newspaper’s The Face series, shot by Saudi lensman Ziyad Alarfaj, will be on display throughout the fourth edition of the Xposure International Photography Festival which runs from Sept. 19-22 at the Expo Center in the city of Sharjah.
Titled “The Face: Portraits from the Kingdom,” the picture presentation includes striking photos that celebrate the groundbreaking accomplishments of Saudi women profiled in the regular section of Arab News.
“I want to highlight women who aren’t relatively well-known because they’re too busy working for themselves and for their countries,” said Alarfaj.
The cameraman’s main aim was to add a human element to his photographs. “I don’t want to place too much focus on their work. That’s why I capture them in their living rooms,” Alarfaj added.
A photograph of entrepreneurs Ramah Nassief and Yasmin Kaki will be featured at the exhibition. (Arab News/Ziyad Alarfaj)
Expo visitors will be able to view shots of successful women from a variety of different careers, fields, and backgrounds. Among those featured are Sara I. Alissa, a professional organizer from Riyadh, Ahlam Alshedokhi, a medical doctor and artist, and university professor Dr. Dana Bakheet.
Established in 2015 by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, this year’s event is set to be the biggest yet and will house an acclaimed selection of more than 1,000 images taken by 357 world-renowned photographers from the Middle East and beyond.
“What makes Xposure special, is that it’s not any regular photography festival. I’ve been to many, and Xposure is one of the best,” said Alarfaj. “The participating photographers are among the best in the world.”
In addition to works from the likes of British wildlife photographer Will Burrard-Lucas, American cameraman Stephen Wilkes, emerging Emirati picture-taker Amer Al-Ali, and Brazilian snapper Gabriel Wickbold, Xposure has a packed program in store for photography enthusiasts.
Unveiled by Sharjah Media Council Chairman Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al-Qasimi during a press conference, the festival will also include photography workshops, talks from industry professionals, public seminars, portfolio reviews, and competitions.
