Awka, Anambra – Awka, the capital of Anambra State, will host the maiden photography exhibition in South East Nigeria on Aug. 31, 2024.
This indication was given on Thursday in Awka after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Anambra government and Natesa Consulting, Strategic Communication and Public Relations firm.
Chief Don Onyenji, the state Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, signed on behalf of the Anambra government while Ms Augusta Nnadi, Co-Founder of Natesa Consulting, signed on behalf of her firm.
“The Photography Exhibition is themed ‘The Forgotten Country’ – a story of the past which had been told in many ways but this time it is going to be in pictures, like professional communicators would say, a picture can tell a thousand stories,” he said.
Onyenji said the essence of the exhibition was to showcase photography as a tool for telling a story.
He said there would be a master class training session for photography enthusiasts as well as exposure to the economics of photography where they would be taught how to commercialise their works.
According to him, the government of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo is interested in exploring every aspect of the creative art, including photography, where people make money in foreign currencies, flying around the world and taking pictures.
“Photography is an area within the creative arts that people are making good money from and we want to see more people tapping-in on the industry.
“The ‘Forgotten Country’ is a story of the past which had been told in many ways but this time it is going to be in pictures, like professional communicators would say, a picture can tell a thousand stories,” he said.
On her part, Ms Augusta Nnadi, Co-Founder of Natesa Consulting said the exhibition which would be the first in the Southeast would raise awareness on documentary photography in Southeast
Nnadi said it aimed to showcase the creativity of photographers in the Southeast, strengthen the community supporting the photography industry and establish a system for nurturing new photographers
She said it would also stimulate conversation and interest in documentary photography especially as a tool to promote the culture, values, heritage and potential of the people of the region.
“This photography exhibition under the theme ‘The Forgotten Country’ will showcase select pieces from artists that stimulate a feeling of nostalgia, recalling the glory of a country that was once.
“The Aug. 31 exhibition will showcase select pieces from partner veterans and rising photographers covering photos of people, sights, architecture and other works.
“It will be the first photography exhibition to be held in the Southeast and also a soft launch for Natesa, a Strategic Communications and Public Relation operations,” he said.
Nnadi, said entries had opened on Natesa website, and that the event would offer networking opportunities between young and veteran photographers.
