Photography has interested me since my student days both for its documentary and creative possibilities. It was in 1970 when as one of the recipient of “Sculptor of the Year Award”, sponsored by the Telegraph Magazine, that I came to know of the late Mr John Ansty (then editor of Telegraph Magazine). Thanks to this enlightened, exceptional and generous soul/person, who sponsored me with film (transparencies) for over a period of over ten years. If my photography is valued today, I firmly believe this is due to his priceless support. Since 1972, transparencies of my travel are mainly images of architecture, people and places. In the late 1980’s I began to make numbered and signed limited editions of 2 to 4 hand mounted photographs from the original negatives. Images of living cultures, sculptures, portraits, architecture, crafts, nature, animals, birds, and festivals, which are all celebrating our world heritage and cultures (see images, website: www.saleem-arif-quadri.co.uk). Additionally, photography for me is also an exciting and new inventive medium. Its potential possibilities, I am still to explore, in depth towards a new segment of visual ideas/expression.
My statement below on photography, I believe express some of my thoughts on the subject.
ARTIST STATEMENT: PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY
“Drawing into Discovery” is a life long passion with the camera, yearning to capture the stunning variety of our great world. Photography is a medium that I am most at ease with when travelling, in moments of marvellous encounters. The camera, is a tool towards seeking the magic in something around and beyond me – from within the inner eye behind the lens. Colours in cultures and textures in time – both natural and manmade have caught my attention and imagination to seek a universal unity. “Portraits of People” are simply invocations of human experience.
Indeed, photography for me is one of the doors that lead to self-education; self-discovery and self-discipline. In this process “Drawing into Discovery”, for me is a universe of unlimited richness.
© Saleem Arif Quadri MBE, September 2000
