Photography lovers welcomed at SAF Gallery

November 08, 2025 / 9:46 PM

Sharjah 24: Omar Al Obaidli, Director of Visitor Services at the Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF), announced that the newly opened Photography Gallery is showcasing two exhibitions — Narratives and Photography Along the Gulf Coasts and Guardians of Images — designed for photography enthusiasts and art lovers alike.

Narratives and photography along the Gulf coasts

Al Obaidli explained that Narratives and Photography Along the Gulf Coasts, a permanent exhibition, features more than 160 photographs and archival documents from the collection of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

Exploring history through photography

He told Sharjah 24 that the exhibition displays photographs from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, presented as glass slides depicting people, places, and activities along the Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean coasts. The collection portrays the region as a crossroads of trade and communication, exploring how waterways and coastal areas shaped global trade, cultural exchange, and social interaction. It also examines themes of power, class, gender, and ethnicity, offering insight into the cultural behaviors of the era.

Guardians of images exhibition

Al Obaidli added that the Guardians of Images exhibition features works from the Sharjah Art Foundation’s collection, showcasing 17 artists who use photography as a medium of memory and imagination.

Invitation to visitors

He concluded by inviting the public to attend both exhibitions and explore the creative spaces and venues within the Sharjah Art Foundation building, emphasising that all photography enthusiasts are welcome to experience these unique artistic displays.