Sharjah: His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has inaugurated a newly established Photography Gallery. The venue is located in a restored former telecommunications building in the Al Manakh district near Kuwait Square and features two exhibitions organized by the Sharjah Art Foundation: Photographic Encounters along the Gulf Coasts and Image Keepers.
According to Emirates News Agency, H.H. was welcomed by Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, President and Director of the Sharjah Art Foundation, along with several other dignitaries including Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations, and Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to the President of the UAE. The new gallery is the first public space in the UAE dedicated to the art of photography, encompassing exhibition galleries, a learning area, a studio, and a caf©.
The Ruler of Sharjah was provided with a detailed overview of the building's historical significance and architectural features. The restoration of the building, known for its civic architecture from the 1970s, aims to blend modernity with functionality while maintaining its original aesthetic character.
Among the highlights of the inauguration was the Photographic Encounters along the Gulf Coasts exhibition, which is a permanent display of 165 photographs and archival documents from H.H.'s collection. This exhibition seeks to illuminate photography's role in shaping historical narratives of the Arabian Gulf, particularly in the colonial and postcolonial contexts.
The exhibition presents rare photographs from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, capturing images of life along the Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean coasts. It delves into themes of trade, human connection, power, class, gender, and ethnicity, offering insights into cultural attitudes of the time.
Additionally, the exhibition features historical photography tools, such as glass slides and a magic lantern, providing a glimpse into the technological innovations of the era. The exhibition treats the photographs as found artefacts, acknowledging the uncertainties surrounding their origins.
H.H. also explored the Image Keepers exhibition, which will be open from 8 November 2025 to 26 April 2026. This exhibition, sourced from the Sharjah Art Foundation Collection, examines sociopolitical developments over the past sixty years, reflecting on modernisation and decolonisation.
The lower floor of Image Keepers showcases portraits and experiences across different regions and time periods, while the upper floor focuses on diverse materials and methods, offering alternative historical narratives.