The sixth edition of Xposure International Photography Festival – the largest premier photography and imaging show in the MENA region – is all set to expand the visual literacy of audiences in the UAE through the lens of internationally renowned photographers whose compelling and insightful perspectives and the causes they champion will be unveiled to the public from February 9 – 15 at Expo Centre Sharjah.

In response to the growth and rising stature of Xposure as a prestigious international photography festival, the 2022 edition is being extended to seven days for the first time with a comprehensive and diverse agenda of activities to reach a broader segment of the public including professional and amateur photographers, filmmakers, students and educators, across different age groups. The sixth edition of Xposurewill feature both renowned and emerging talents from around the world and showcase a diverse range of themes that appeal strongly to audiences of all ages.

Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), Xposure 2022 will host a series of solo and group exhibitions, including portraiture that captures the beauty and personality of individuals. Other exhibitions will take visitors on a journey into the depths of the oceans and the heart of jungles, and to the panoramic edges of vibrant forests and deserts. Xposure 2022 will also host expressive art and digital exhibitions and provide a platform for budding photographers to showcase their works in different mediums, and present innovative ideas for those looking to become professionals in mobile photography.

HE Tariq Saeed Allay, Director General of SGMB, said: “Xposure has emerged as one of the most significant events on Sharjah’s annual cultural calendar. The emirate’s wholehearted support for the festival and the humanitarian causes and issues profiled by leading international photographers are in line with Sharjah’s cultural development project, which lays great emphasis on values of humanity and aims to utilise art as a tool to forge stronger connections between members of the community. The annual festival also facilitates greater understanding and appreciation of the diversity of human experience and cultures, and generates awareness of the trauma and impacts of conflict while also drawing attention to pertinent issues affecting the planet.”

The SGMB DirectorGeneral added: “A photograph speaks to the eye and the soul, and the stories embodied within the images need a platform to be conveyed to a wider audience. This is what Xposure has successfully accomplished in its past five editions. Since its debut in 2017, Xposure has grown beyond an exhibition that solely displays the works of renowned photographers to emerge as a platform that also presents their meaningful experiences and personal journeys, and strives to raise awareness amongst communities to bring about lasting changes for people and the planet. It was this that prompted us to extend the length of the festival, and introduce a spectrum of new activities designed to engage all segments of the community.”