Sharjah: As photography takes a leading role in telling some of the most inspiring and powerful stories around the world, Xposure, Sharjah’s first international photography festival, will use its platform to bring award-winning photographers from around the world to share their inspiring stories on global environmental issues.
The upcoming edition of the festival, being organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau and taking place on November 22 — 25, 2017 at the Expo Centre Sharjah, will spark a region-wide engagement and inspiration, educating visitors against a variety of ecological threats, such as global warming, marine pollution, land degradation and desertification, as well as natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes.
World-class environmental photographers participating this year will include Canadian photographer, biologist and conservationist Paul Nicklen, who will through his work try to bring about the importance of the ecological system, in light of several natural disasters and extreme weather changes resulting from global warming.
The National Geographic photographer has won over 30 global awards from acclaimed establishments, including the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year and the prestigious World Press Photo for Photojournalism. His unique and inspiring pieces of work will be on display for sale throughout the festival, with the profits going to the SeaLegacy Foundation, one of the world’s leading and biggest environmental establishments, making its grand debut in Sharjah at Xposure 2017.
SeaLegacy is a world-leading visual platform for inspiration and education on the protection of the world’s oceans. The foundation is expected to draw some of the strongest attention towards environmental sustainability, thanks to its photography and film documentaries, produced and directed by leading artists around the world.
Xposure 2017 will bring together a galaxy of renowned photographers and international and local experts to share their experiences with photography enthusiasts. The four-day event will include 26 photo exhibitions across different venues in Sharjah and Dubai.
The 2017 edition will see a gathering of 31 of the world’s most celebrated photographers and industry experts, and the launch of a photo fair giving collectors, buyers and the public the opportunity to buy some of the works by acclaimed artists.
This year’s Xposure is also introducing a new initiative to support regional talent and emerging photographers to have their work displayed on the same platform as the globally acclaimed photographers, by adding 53 display panels.
The festival will also host 25 seminars, lectures and live-stage events that aim to reveal the incredible power and influence of photographs in transcending linguistic barriers and geographical boundaries.
Apart from Nicklen, some of the prominent environmental photographers participating this year will include award winning photographer of National Geographic Jodi Cobb; award-winning photographer from Mexico Cristina Mittermeier, and renowned environmental photographer from South Africa, Brent Stirton.
Marcus Bleasdale, a documentary photographer who uses his work to influence policymakers around the world, will also participate
Sharing her story on wildlife protection and conservation is Kathy Moran, National Geographic magazine’s first senior editor for natural history projects.
To learn more about the festival, agenda, seminars, workshops and other events, audiences can visit www.xposure.ae, and on social networking platforms under the tag #xposurexpf.
