Introduction

Vantage Point Sharjah (VPS) returns for its 11th edition, presented by the Sharjah Art Foundation. This annual photography exhibition challenges established notions of photographic practices and provides a platform for early-career photographers from Africa and Asia, as well as those connected to the diaspora. From October 14, 2023, to January 14, 2024, the exhibition will be on display at the historic Old Al Diwan Al Amiri in Al Hamriyah, Sharjah.

Diverse Approaches and Emerging Talent: Selected through an international open call that attracted over 350 applications, VPS 11 features four artists and one collective. These photographers embody diverse approaches to contemporary image-making, recontextualisation of found images, and engagement with the visual legacies of colonialism. Let’s take a closer look at the artists and their works:

Oumaima Abaraghe

• • Origin: Casablanca
  • Approach: Collage techniques and digital manipulation
  • Artistic Focus: Reconstructing Morocco’s fragmented colonial archive

Yashna Kaul

• • Origin: Mumbai
  • Approach: Exploring family photo albums
  • Artistic Focus: Examining how framing a moment shapes personal histories and collective memory

Mohamed Mahdy

• • Origin: Giza
  • Approach: Emotive storytelling
  • Artistic Focus: Documenting the displacement of the fishing community of El Maks, Alexandria, and its generational impact due to urban redevelopment policies

Postbox Ghana (Nana Ofosu Adjei, Courage Dzidula Kpodo, Manuela Nebuloni)

• • Origins: Accra, Kumasi, Milan
  • Approach: Recontextualising popular postcard images of post-independence Ghana
  • Artistic Focus: Placing these images within Ghana’s contemporary urban landscape

Clea Rekhou

• • Origin: Paris
  • Approach: Soft-lit, intimate family portraits
  • Artistic Focus: Exploring narratives of generational violence and the complexity of human relationships

Exhibition Modes

The works of these emerging artists will be displayed in two exhibition modes: individual presentations of their practices and a communal storytelling space that interweaves their combined work.

Professional Mentoring Program: VPS 11 introduces a one-on-one professional mentoring program where participating artists will be paired with cultural practitioners or industry professionals of their choice. This initiative aims to enhance their skills and provide a unique learning experience led by experts in the field.

Evolution of VPS

Since its inception in 2013, VPS has evolved into a dynamic platform that embraces various approaches to photography, ranging from photojournalism and photo essays to experimental work in both analog and digital forms.

Opening Day Festivities

The exhibition’s opening day will feature talks with the participating artists, offering insights into their creative processes. The evening will conclude with a special performance by The Niki Mukhi Quintet, known for their dynamic live music combining Flamenco, Indian Classical, and West African influences.

Learning Program and Workshops

Vantage Point Sharjah will complement the exhibition with a series of workshops inspired by the featured artists as part of the Foundation’s Learning Program in autumn.

Explore, Shop, and Savor

Visitors can enjoy an array of food and beverages at Fen Café & Restaurant while exploring the exhibition at Old Al Diwan Al Amiri. Additionally, the SAF shop offers art publications, books, design-led gifts, and educational items suitable for all ages.

Admission

Admission to VPS 11 is free and open to the public. However, visitors are encouraged to book tickets in advance to ensure a seamless experience at this captivating exhibition celebrating the diverse talents of emerging photographers from Africa and Asia.

Feature Image Courtesy: Sharjah Art Foundation

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