The maiden Southeast Photography Exhibition has been held in Awka at the weekend as image makers urged to master the skill of virtuality by creating a niche for themselves.
The Photography Exhibition entitled “The Forgotten Country” was organised by Natesa Consulting, a strategic communication and public relations firm in collaboration with Anambra government.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that a foremost Nigerian creative photographer,
Kelechi Amadi-Obi in his keynote address during the event held at at the International Convention Center, Awka, said peception is reality which is majorly through virtuality.
Amadi-Obi, a renowned painter and artist stated that photography is rewarding and unlimited. He urged image makers to study the copyright act so as to understand how it works.
He encouraged photographers to submit themselves to mentorship and constant learning in other to improve their craft by being focus and concentrating on their targeted audience.
” Photography is engaged through two dimensional rhyme of virtuality which is at the core of advertising, presentations and story telling. Never stop being a study. Do not settle for less. Focus and believe is key’ He said
Anambra Commissioner of Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Chief Don Onyenji, in his speech commended photographers for their cretivity and impact in the society.
The Commissioner revealed that Governor Chukwuma Soludo has created a conducive environment for creatives to excil and that the doors of Anambra State government is always open because the present administration is determined to support the youths which is the reason for the creation of ‘one youth two skill’ empowerment programme.
” The world is a global village and as photographers, you can make impact anywhere you find yourself”. Onyenji stated
Co-Founder of Natesa Consulting, Ms. Augusta Nnadi in her opening remark said ‘The Forgotten Country’ would be a trail blazer on documentary photography in the Southeast
Accounding to Nnadi, “we intend to project and brand the Southeast as the power house of photography in Nigeria.
Through this platform, we want to encourage more people to tell their story.
Nnadi said about 140 entries were received from no fewer than 35 photographers and top 35 pictures which aligned with the theme were selected for the exhibition.
She maintained that the essence for the premiere event was to give attendees the opportunity to enjoy arts, celebrate culture and have a good time as they learn how to maximise the potential of documentary photography.
Speaking on behalf of ‘Center for Memories’, one of the partners of the event, Ms. Ifeoma Nnamani in an interview said the ‘Forgotten Country’ represents who we were as a people and that both the stories, memories and the exhibition tells the story.
“People will always look at photographs and get the message its trying to pass across. Its intreasting and inspiring seeing young people going into photography and decomenting the history and culture of a people. Am encouraging them not to give up’. She said.
Veteran artist and journalist Sir Chuka Nnabuife while speaking to ANN in an interview, commended the organizers for bringing great minds together to share experiences, inspiration and suggestions on how to take the photography industry to the next level.
Sir Nnabuife who is also an author and a public administrator encouraged young and upcoming photographers to believe in their prospect, be focus and committed.
‘ We need more of this initiatives and outings in the Southeast especially here in Awka because it will encourage exibitors to tell their stories themselves. You cannot go far if you leave your stories for others to tell’. Nnabuife submitted.
High points of the event was the showcasing of selected pieces from artists, sights, architecture and other works of partner veterans and rising photographers
