JEDDAH — Italian and American photojournalists Roberta Fedele and Miki Turner —  two women, two different cultural backgrounds and visions but a same passion for immortalizing spontaneous moments with a strong sense of narrative.  

 

Fedele, who spent almost 8 years in Saudi Arabia, and Turner, who recently visited the country for the first time, will combine their long term and spontaneous impressions of this colorful land through a photography exhibition called "4 Eyes, 2 Lenses: Visual Narratives of Saudi Arabia."

 

Sponsored by Tamer Group, A.K. Saeed Group and Lallo Restaurant, the exhibition will run between November 26 and 29 at Kondakji Atelier.

 

Fedele, who is also co-founder of AMUSE, decided to arrange this photographic exhibition as a tribute to Saudi Arabia, a country that she perceives today as her second home and that she is about to leave soon. 

“I arrived to Saudi Arabia at the age of 27 full of worries and with a monolithic perception of the country. These worries and vision have rapidly disappeared and my journey of discovery ultimately evolved into a journey of belonging.”

 

Fedele has covered cultural and business events and has written a number of travel pieces for the Kingdom's dailies in English language getting the privilege to travel to remote places in the country and developing a keen interest in the art of interviewing artists, social activists and independent thinkers. 

 

During this exhibition, Fedele will showcase some of the pictures she took in Jeddah, Najran and Madain Saleh. The same pictures will be part of a more comprehensive illustration book.

 

“In Saudi I met friends who became family, found incredible professional opportunities and discovered the complexity and charming contrasts of a different culture oscillating between tradition and modernity.

 

“Each picture is more than a simple shot to me. It carries the fragrance of the people and places I have loved," she said.

 

Fedele is particularly happy to share this experience with Turner whom she considers as a great woman, photographer and friend. 

 

“I’ve seen Miki enjoying exploring and taking pictures all around Jeddah last May and I’m sure that enthusiasm and joy will shine through her photographs,” said Fedele. 

 

Fedele met Turner in 2013 in Paris on the occasion of “The Art of Re-Invention” (TAOR) seminar, an event co-founded by Turner that encourages audiences to pursue their passions by reinventing themselves personally and professionally.

 

Directly inspired by TAOR to take a further step in her professional journey, Fedele invited Turner last May to share stories of reinvention with Saudi women.  

 

The present exhibition was conceived in the wake of this reinvention spirit. 

 

"Roberta came up with this great idea about sharing our different experiences and perceptions of Saudi," Turner said. "She's been there for nearly eight years and I've only spent about 14 days there, but the country and its people had a huge impact on me. I loved photographing the people, respectfully not shooting those who objected. I found most of them very friendly and it was wonderful to capture the spirit of these people through my lenses, particularly the ones I encountered in Al-Balad, the old city. I can't wait to see what Roberta has put together. I've seen snippets of her work and it's amazing."

 

Award-winning photojournalist, Turner is the author of two photography books “Journey to the woman I've come to love” and “Tomorrow”. During this exhibit, she will display 15 to 20 photographs including the stunning Abaya Road, a shot taken in Al-Balad. 

 

Turner is currently teaching photojournalism at the University of Southern California and working as a freelance journalist. Her work has appeared in various publications including: Jet, Ebony, Upscale, ESPN.com, MSNBC.com, Adoptive Parent and several international magazines.

 

"It's such a blessing to have this opportunity," Turner said. "I hope that the work resonates with the people there and that they'll see themselves as I do.  I met wonderful people while I was there and many of them have become close friends. I'd encourage anyone who can to visit this amazing place. Don't believe the hype." — SG