Photography exhibition: Acid survivors capture unusual stories

Photographers taught nine participants ways to express themselves.

ISLAMABAD: Farooq is happy that he has finally learnt to tell stories through a camera as two of his photographs made it to an exhibition at the Nomad Art Gallery and Cultural Centre on Wednesday.

The photos, including a vibrant shot of Daman-e-Koh, is included among many others selected for “New lenses - Using the art of photography for a journey within one self,” that wrapped up a 21-day visual arts expression workshop organised by the Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) to provide informal education to the survivors.



“The experience of photographing various sites has completely changed my outlook. I want to pursue photography and outdo myself at it,” Farooq said enthusiastically.

The event was part of a project being implemented by ASF under the Gender Equity Programme of Aurat Foundation supported by USAID. The project’s objective is to support private shelters, establish psycho-social and legal counselling and facilitate economic rehabilitation of acid attack survivors.



The workshop, with a motive to assist survivors on a peer-to-peer basis was led by The Express Tribune’s photojournalist Myra Iqbal and Spanish photographer Diego Sanchez, who taught nine survivors ways to express themselves through pictures.

Commenting on the workshop, Iqbal said, “Considering it was Ramazan and the time we spent with them was very limited, their efforts have far exceeded our expectations. We went on field trips and prepared them to go home and build their narratives. Their resilience and helpfulness has taught us a lot about life.”

This kind of creative pilot experiences stand as important steps towards progress and well-being of victims of gender-based violence in general, according to ASF Executive Director Muhammad Khan and his wife Valerie Khan Yousafzai who is the chairperson of the foundation.



“Governments must pass the Comprehensive Acid and Burn Crime Bill in all the provinces to ensure that rehabilitation services, crucial for survivors, do not remain dependant on donors or political pronouncements,” said Yousafzai, while adding that the constructive response to acid and burn violence must be made part of a wider indigenous policy countering gender-based violence in our country.

Owner and curator of the gallery, Nageen Hayat appreciated the effort considering the short time frame it was undertaken in. “The pictures speak for themselves. The work is very professional on one hand and very sensitive and personal on the other,” she said.



Nomad is a private voluntary organisation committed to promoting arts and culture, indigenous crafts, training and peace initiatives and human rights.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2013.