Muscat – The National Museum represented by the Learning Centre, in collaboration with the French Embassy in Oman, hosted a panel discussion titled ‘Oman in Photography: A Scenographic Experience Through the Lens of Omani and French Photographers’, on Tuesday.

The discussion was attended by H E Veronique Aulagnon, Ambassador of France to the sultanate. It was also attended by photography enthusiasts, members of photography societies, students, teachers, professional and amateur photographers, as well as reputed and emerging visual artists.

Dr Abdulmonam Mansour al Hassani, Founder of the Photo Society of Sultan Qaboos University, highlighted the stages that photography underwent in Oman from 1970s until today.

Hassani reviewed the early features of photography in Oman during the 1960s and 1970s and the emergence of individual Omani photographers.

He also touched on the institutional beginning of photography in 1988 by establishing a mini-group for photography in the Cultural Club. Through this group, photo exhibitions were held, and despite their scarceness those gatherings exhibited a fascination with silent nature, people’s lives and Omani architecture, stated Hassani.

He pointed out that the photography group at SQU was established during 1990s, followed by the Omani Society for Fine Arts in 1993 and the Photography Society in 2012.

Hassani highlighted the emergence of student institutions and the Stal Gallery team, in addition to some independent photographers who studied the art of photography and presented their experiences in their own unique way, away from institutional frameworks.

Further, Omani photographer, Reem al Sheikh, a specialist in abstract fine arts, shared the successive steps of her journey, the drive behind her work that led her to become the photographer she is today, and the reflection of her life on photography and the art of abstraction.

On their turn, photographers Mahmoud al Zadjali and Israa al Balushi of Stal Gallery in Muscat, talked about their experience in being among young photographers in Oman. They also pinpointed the mission of professional photographers in Oman and their role to represent the country in international events.

They explained how photography encourages communication between generations and regions. They also underscored the role of photography in strengthening cultural and artistic connections.

A mini-exhibition was held on the sidelines of the event to showcase some of Oman’s picturesque natural scenery and various archeological sites.

The conference was held within the framework of cooperation between the National Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.

The discussion offered a global panoramic view on the art of photography as it is practiced nowadays and described the experience of French and Omani photographers in capturing the heritage, landscapes and archeological sites of Oman.