Women Photographers Shine At Xposure 2024: Elevating Voices In The Arab World

During a panel discussion at Xposure 2024 in Sharjah, titled "Elevating the Voices of Women in Photography and Art", women photographers from the Arab world shared their insights on the profession. The event, held on Friday, saw the participation of Rania Matar, Fatma Almosa, and Hind Taryam, alongside Karin-Rehn Kaufmann, Art Director and Chief Representative of Leica Galleries International. Moderator Lars Boering, a storyteller and ‘photopreneur’, led the conversation on achieving success and maintaining creativity in the competitive field of photography and art.

Fatma AlMosa, an Emirati photographer from Abu Dhabi, expressed her preference for monochrome photography, highlighting its timeless appeal and ability to focus on the subject without distractions. AlMosa, who began her photography journey with a Leica Q camera in 2015 and later moved on to the Leica Rangefinder, emphasized the importance of capturing images with love to touch people's hearts and souls. She also mentioned her commitment to promoting Emirati culture for future generations.

Hind Taryam, another talented Emirati photographer from Sharjah, described her camera as an extension of her memory. Taryam enjoys documenting human stories, cultures, and landscapes during her travels. She stressed the importance of obtaining consent from her subjects and shared her experiences traveling to destinations like Japan and Antarctica.

Karin Kaufmann discussed the significance of supporting photographers and preserving the essence of photographs at Leica Galleries. She highlighted the global expansion of Leica Galleries under her leadership, resulting in 28 galleries worldwide. Kaufmann also mentioned the Leica Oskar Barnack Awards jury's role in recognizing photographic excellence.

Rania Matar shared her journey as a Lebanese-born American artist using photography to change the negative rhetoric about Arabs post-9/11. Matar's work focuses on building relationships with mothers and girls in Lebanon and Palestinian refugee camps to capture powerful images that avoid objectifying subjects.

The 8th edition of Xposure, organized by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), is taking place at Expo Centre Sharjah until March 5. This year's event is noted as the biggest edition yet, offering a platform for women photographers to share their experiences and insights into the world of photography and art.

With inputs from WAM