Gulf dreams and Palestinian portraits: Vantage Point Sharjah turns lens on intimate lives
The reflective strips of his oil worker’s uniform are dazzling. Light splays from his wrists and shoulders, and this outpouring exalts him in the monochrome image, makes him larger than life. We see the man as his son sees him. The boy hangs from his father’s grip, legs crossed in playful acrobatics. He looks up at him in glee, in reverence. The man is just about to leave for work and the boy…
Vantage Point Sharjah showcases intimate lives through the lens of documentary photography. The exhibition, held annually since 2013, has shifted to a new location and now features six artists, each presenting a singular, sprawling body of work. One such artist is Sathish Kumar, whose Bond series documents his brother's life as an oil worker in the Gulf, juxtaposed with images of his childhood in Bengaluru.
The family photos, taken with a point-and-shoot camera, could easily be found in a family album, while the construction site photos provide a glimpse into the building of their home. The exhibit also includes works by Saudi artist Latifa Al Bokhari, who explores the milestones in a woman's life in the region. Her photographs, printed on velvet and bordered by minimal frames, capture the essence of becoming a woman.
Beijing-born artist Guanyu Xu offers an experimental approach, photographing domestic interiors with found and personal images overlaid on the walls, doors, and furniture. Brazilian photographer Luisa Dorr focuses on an equestrian team and school in Mexico, showcasing the artistry and physical demands of charreria, as well as the bond between the riders and their horses.
The last two bodies of work, presented in the dark alcove of the gallery, amplify the revolutionary spirit, with Ethiopian photographer Mahe reflecting on the lives of women in her community.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
