#blinkseries

[saralady]

"Dusk" hanging high at #MERCHANTHOUSEVENICE #pigments #saramarlowehall #indigo #painting #blinkseries #morocconrugs #gainey #birdcages #spaces

[saralady]

I want to go out to sea #pigmentpaintings #painting #blinkseries #35pigmentstudies

[emahomagazine]

Establishment Earthquaker: Shahidul Alam

Bangladesh - 

Emaho got into a free-wheeling tête-à-tête with the legendary award-winning Bangladeshi photographer, Shahidul Alam to pry beyond his politics. This interview was conducted in the month of February, 2013 during the Chiang Mai Documentary Arts Festival, Thailand.

  Manik : In all your past interviews, you have mentioned how photography happened to you, so I will not ask that question, but what is photography for you? And your relationship with politics?

Shahidul : I am a very political man and the reason I took up photography was because of my political position. Being concerned about the social situation in my country and globally, I happened to stumble into photography and discovered what a powerful tool it was; which happens to be the only reason why I practice it. I am fond of photography, I enjoyed images but at the end of the day that for me is not the point of the exercise. I continued to use photography in whatever way I can. Largely because, I see the strength of the medium and I recognise the potential. Having said that I think – I have said this before – that if tomorrow it ceases to effective, I’ll have no qualms about giving it up and taking something new.

That for me is the point of the exercise.  And when I am talking of politics I am certainly not talking about party politics and looking at the social spectrum within which we live, where the rhetoric is about egalitarianism about social equality… but there does not happen to be a single government in the world that I know of right now that believes in that rhetoric …or at least practices that rhetoric …despite the fact that it espouses it constantly. So, I at one stage began to take stock and realised that the major changes in social terms were politics, media, education and culture. I am politically active, politically engaged, though I am not involved in party politics. But I insist upon working in all the other three areas to ensure that there is sufficient pressure upon the politicians, to ensure that people who are governed have a say in the process of governance.

  Padma’s Ilish (the Hilsha of River Padma), is the ultimate in fish for the connoisseur. The sail boats are fast disappearing, as is a way of life. Bangladesh. Shahidul Alam/Drik 

- See more at: http://www.emahomagazine.com/2013/07/establishment-earthquaker-shahidul-alam/#sthash.7HZ438ov.dpuf

[jkahele]

Michael

Slender with a slight muscular built, he stands at about 6’0 tall. He has permanent bed head but it suits his facial structure. His face is square with a chiseled jaw line, and high cheek bones that cast a light shadow of a beard. His light chestnut eyes have sparkles of gold as the sun hits them gleaming in through the door. His lip rises up on one side as he smiles at me. Right away I can see he is definitely confident, and he has every reason to be.

[jkahele]

Melia

The sky is orange as the sun is starting to set. The wind blows briskly, bringing a slight chill to my arms; I rub them trying to warm up. The sound of breaking branches catches my attention, interrupting my tranquil state. I stand quickly in search of the noisy clatter. I am drawn to the cliff that stands so high above me and like a mystic illusion a beautiful woman appears. A yellow glow surrounds her radiating flawless silhouette.

[jkahele]

The Wand

This dreaded wand- my rival for ages relentlessly contesting me. I plunge it swiftly into its case wetting it with the black liquid, yearning for victory. Using the mirror as my sole guidance, I cautiously apply it to my lashes. Success! Victory is mine today! Oh, how I wish my eyes weren’t so green and my hair so dark. I would willingly surrender the wand forever.

[jkahele]

Blink - Breaking Branches

The moonlight illuminates her. Radiantly beautiful- short dark hair with a hint of white, her skin is tan and her face is perfect. Yet, what intrigues me the most are her amber eyes. They draw me in-a perfect light ensues me; a comfort that warms me inside. The golden color of the iris is so intense it brings an aching shiver to my spine. I feel the urge to look away but for some odd reason I can’t. I feel like I’m watching a car crash-something so horrifying yet intriguing at the same time. My vision begins to blur and I feel the blood rush to my head- I’m fading. My heavy lidded eyes begin to close-

[jkahele]

The ocean lives and wanders free, happy to flow gracefully with the wind. A serene piece of heaven, it mystifies me with its silent beauty.

Blink - Breaking Branches