Celebrated Ghanaian visual artist, Michael Aboya, took to the stage at the International Photography Festival ‘Xposure’ to share his personal journey of photography in an insightful talk titled "Reaching for the Light" on Saturday (February 11).
Aboya began his talk by reflecting on the notion of photography as the art of "drawing with light." While he acknowledged that light in this definition refers to objective light, he emphasised another light that he always strives to bring out - the light that reaches people.
"As a photographer, I always try to focus on what makes people feel alive. When taking photos, I often try to reach the light within people, to reflect the lights of love, happiness, and joy through their eyes," he added.
During the session, Aboya presented visual representations of his most celebrated works, such as "The Song of Freedom" and "Time to Love Someone," and argued why photography is not just a matter of representing reality but also a beneficial medium in various other spheres of life.
In his talk about the impact visual artists have on humanity, Aboya shared that a well-captured photograph has the potential to influence people, touch their hearts, and make a lasting impression about a specific topic or person. He also highlighted that photographs have a big impact on people's emotions.
The photos artists produce, according to Aboya, "help connect people with each other and with their surroundings. Some photographers take photos for casual purposes, while others use it to reveal deep, hidden meanings behind their creations. I use my lens to inspire future generations and push for a new and positive discourse about Africa, and Ghana in particular," he concluded.
This is Michael Aboya's first exhibition in the MENA region.
