Dr Iqbal Survé, Chairman of Survé Group Holdings, officially opened the Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest Exhibition in Durban, highlighting the power of photography to transcend borders and preserve human stories. The exhibition features 30 award-winning photographs by photojournalists from different countries and backgrounds, documenting various circumstances while sharing a common thread: the human experience. Dr Survé emphasized the significance of the exhibition, noting it was the first time it had been hosted in Durban.
Dr Survé reflected on the enduring power of an image in an era dominated by information overload, arguing that a single photograph can communicate more powerfully than pages of text. He emphasized the importance of perspective, noting that every photograph represents a choice by the photographer and that viewers bring their own perspective to an image. Dr Survé described these differences as one of photography's greatest strengths, allowing audiences to encounter people and experiences that may otherwise remain distant.
The exhibition remembers the legacy of Andrei Stenin, the Russian photojournalist in whose memory the international competition was established. Dr Survé described Stenin's work as representing the risks, responsibilities, and courage associated with documenting events as they unfold. The competition creates an international platform for emerging photographers, and Dr Survé recalled receiving the Russian Foreign Ministry's Medal for Cooperation from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Cape Town in June 2023.
Dr Survé spoke about the role of culture and the arts in strengthening relationships between countries, recalling the opening of the BRICS Universe photographic exhibition at the Iziko Planetarium in Cape Town in 2024. He noted South Africa's history of cultural exchange and its deep Indian heritage, making Durban an appropriate setting for the exhibition. Dr Survé argued that photography provides a form of communication that does not require translation, allowing images to move across cultures and generations.
Against the backdrop of an increasingly divided world, Dr Survé said cultural exchange could provide an alternative way of encountering difference. He argued that art can encourage curiosity rather than suspicion, allowing people to look beyond political categories and statistics to the individuals behind major global events. Photography, he said, can humanize people who are otherwise reduced to statistics, headlines, or political categories.
Dr Survé paid tribute to the young photographers represented in the exhibition, emphasizing the importance of professional photojournalism in capturing more than just a striking image. He encouraged visitors to spend time with the photographs, considering not only what they see but also what they might be missing. Dr Survé urged audiences to reflect on both the photographer's perspective and their own.
Concluding his address, Dr Survé said the exhibition was ultimately about more than photography; it was about connection. He argued that despite differences in language, culture, and experience, photography can build bridges between people and communities. The exhibition will run in Durban, showcasing the work of talented photojournalists from around the world.
Key points
- The exhibition features 30 award-winning photographs by photojournalists from different countries and backgrounds.
- Dr Survé emphasized the importance of perspective in photography, noting that every photograph represents a choice by the photographer and that viewers bring their own perspective to an image.
- The exhibition aims to build connections through photography, encouraging cultural exchange and understanding between people from different backgrounds.
