Visage du Yemen in the Zoom of A Camera [Archives:2000/08/Culture]

By: Nada Al-Shamery 
An art exhibition of the well-known Yemeni artist Abdul-Rahman Al-Ghabiri was held last Tuesday 15 Feb. 2000 on Arthur Rambos hall in the French Cultural Center under the title Yemeni Faces Visage du Yemen. The art exhibition was inaugurated by Mr. Abdul-Malik Mansour, Minister of Culture and Tourism. Mr. Pierre Boillot, French Ambassador in Yemen, and Mr. Gerard Marciniak, Secretary General, have both attended the exhibition which contained 66 photographic pictures. 
Q: How did you start? 
A: It all began when I was just a little child. I lived my childhood among moors and mountains and I had always wanted to capture the moments that I would see. In those days I did not have a camera. In the 60s, my dream became true when I got my first camera and I was in class 1/E then. Beginning there, my camera became my happiness and I always tried to personalize special photos. 
I joined the political guidance, the photography section where I worked practically in the darkroom. I also practiced printing and developing films until I was sent in a scholarship to Syria. There I was able to study photography in theory and practice. I was working and at the same time to learning theater and music. 
I graduated in 1973 then I was sent to Lebanon where I specialized as Cinema Director of documentary films. During this period I participated in directing two films which were shot in south Lebanon in Nabatia and  Kafr Shouba. I graduated with excellent degree and I returned to Yemen. There was no cinema in Yemen at that time so I worked for the on TV for a shot time. After that I moved to the private sector and finally I started my own business that I still do until now. 
Q: What do you think of the awareness of Yemeni People of the importance of photography? 
A: I cannot say for sure that there is a high awareness in this respect among the Yemeni people. At the same time I cannot deny the there were some brilliant brains which understood what photography is. Artistically speaking, there are many artists and critics who touched the beauty of this art like Hassan Al-Nouri, Moufeed Al-Yousifi, Abdul-Aziz Al-Makalih, Ahmed Shojaa and many others. However, at the public level, the development of awareness is still quite slow. People always see pictures but still they cannot comprehend this arts implied or even the visible meanings it conveys. I am longing to see the day when this art is appreciated. This art portrays our reality in a style which enables us to see it more vividly so that we can clearly observe its concealed features which grant it a mixture of strength of sincerity in both taking and giving. 
Mr. Abdul-Malik Mansour, Minister of Culture and Tourism said: 
In the beginning I would like to thank the French Cultural Center for hosting this art exhibition of the Yemeni great artist Mr. Abdul-Rahman Al-Ghabiri. Mr. Al-Ghabiri is really an artist in all fields of art but when it comes to photography he is the most prominent. This kind of art requires an eye which senses beauty and never misses it. We can see that his photos almost speak of what he felt and read in that picture. It is also clear that Mr. Al-Ghabiri adores the history and glory of Yemen and this is embodied in the expressions of yearning and patriotism that he portrayed in his photos. I personally encourage the Yemeni artist, Mr. Abdul-Rahman Al-Ghabiri who has become a school for all the coming generations. 
Mr. Zayed Saleh Al-Fakeeh General Manager of the Book House noted: 
Before this exhibition I was used to think that photography exhibitions are never like those of paintings. However, now I can clearly see that photos far overweigh paintings. This art exhibition reflects the artists soul which in turn portrays the brilliant, civilized side of Yemen. I should not also forget to thank the French Cultural Center for hosting such Yemeni cultural activities. 
I am originally from Damar and I have known Yemen through Al-Ghabiri art exhibition. I am really happy and I also hope that all the world become to know Yemen through this artist. Novelist  Al-Gherby Amran observed. 

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