Magnum photographer Bruno Barbey is of particular interest to the history of the United Arab Emirates as he was one of the photographers responsible for the recording of the ceremony of independence of the UAE in 1971.
Born in 1941 in Morocco, Barbey has journeyed across five continents and numerous world conflicts, though he does not consider himself a war photographer, he has nevertheless covered the civil war in Nigeria, Vietnam, the Middle East, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ireland, Iraq and Kuwait. His love for and fascination with Morocco, the land of his childhood, is evident in the colourful body of work shown in this exhibition. Barbey expresses a unique empathy for its people in the subtle complexities of life he reveals through his lens. “ I find smells and colours that remind me of my youth. And one should not forget that this country has inspired painters such as Delacroix and Matisse.” The yellow ochre and burnt umber tones of the towns and rural areas depicted create graphic images rendered dazzling by Morocco’s scorching light.
EXHIBITION
Morocco A Scorching Beauty
March 17 – April 17, 2014
The Empty Quarter
Gate Village, Bldg 02
P.O.BOX 506697
DIFC, Dubai
UAE
