Angawi plays with light to create art

Najla Mahmoud Angawi, the first Saudi photographer to win the title of International Artist Photographer, was awarded a silver medal and declared the winner of the Federation of the International Artistic Photographers (FIAP) award for her solo exhibition.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Iyad Madani, incoming secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and Abdullah bin Ahmed Al-Thaqfy, director of the Department of Education, in Jeddah on Thursday.
The exhibition titled, “Magic of Light,” was organized by the Saudi Art Center and displayed 40 photographs taken from different angles and in different light conditions.
Madani, Al-Thaqfy, Esa. S. Engawi, the Saudi international photographer, Hameed A.Opeloyeru, assistant secretary-general of the OIC, and a number of Saudi and international dignitaries took a tour of the exhibition and praised the unique work of the artist.
“This is an excellent exhibition by Najla. We are proud of her and her talent and in recognition of this the Ministry of Education has helped her organize a few workshops and courses in schools to inspire budding photographers,” said Al-Thaqfy.
Madani said that he was very pleased to attend the photo exhibition where the photographer has produced unique creations using different techniques and dimensions; some of them are direct, some are personal while some are purely artistic.
“We found a variety of creations in her artistic inspirations for which she has used photography as the medium. The real artist sees different combinations and contrasts; colors which the ordinary eye cannot see. We have very talented photographers and artists whom the media should give a chance so that they will be motivated to produce more of this brilliant work,” he said.
Madani said that the OIC plans these exhibitions with a view to achieving cultural exchange programs as this is the most effective way to get to know other cultures and helps to dismantle stereotypes.
Esa said that Najla is a very smart and hardworking photographer and her achievement of winning the FIAP is not easy as it only comes after several submissions of photographic work of international standards.
“She is one of my students and is working under my guidance. I advise every photographer to work hard and win the title of the international photographer federation. But only those who share their experiences not only at the local but international level will be able to do it ,” he said.
Najla told Arab news that she took different pictures to express herself in different moods, such as the “Light of Allah” with the black and white picture of the Kaaba and people performing Umrah; the picture of a cave in Vietnam titled “Hope,” “A foggy day,” “Prosperity,” “Reflection,” “Starting point,” “Happiness,” “Big bang” and many more.
She said she wants to show people different moods of life and the beauty of light through her pictures and that’s why she kept the name of her exhibition, “Magic of Light.”