Capturing Change Muscat Exhibition Marks 200 Years of Photography

Marking 200 years since the invention of photography by French engineer Nicéphore Niépce, a new exhibition in Muscat brings together Omani and French artists in a cultural collaboration reflecting both history and contemporary practice.
Opening on April 15, 2026, at Stal Gallery, the exhibition is organised by the French Embassy to Oman in collaboration with Stal Gallery as part of the eighth edition of the French Weeks programme. The inauguration will take place at 7:00 pm under the auspices of Dr Abdul Monem bin Mansour al Hassani.
The opening will be attended by Nabil Hajlaoui, alongside Luciano Rispoli, Sophie Villeret and Juliette Yon of the French Embassy, as well as Hassan AlMeer and Volodymyra Sobolevska of Stal Gallery.

Nabil Hajlaoui, Ambassador of France in Oman, said,
“The French Embassy to the Sultanate of Oman and the Stal Gallery are coming together to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the invention of photography by French engineer Nicéphore Niépce. As part of the French Weeks 2026, the exhibition is a unique opportunity to explore the evolution of this art in Oman through the lenses of Omani and French photographers, but also through innovative and inclusive ways to imagine photography. Some of the artists we present create photographic artworks AI-based or artworks to be experienced by both sighted and visually impaired audiences. We are proud to showcase historical and contemporary works made by these talented artists. Photography has been and remains one of the cornerstones of Omani-French cultural cooperation.”

The exhibition features French photographer Emmy Culianez alongside Omani photographers Hassan al Meer, Anwar Sonya and Qasim al Farsi, as well as emerging photographers Eman Ali,
Abdulaziz al Hosni, Sard Visual, Waheeb al Wahaibi, Mahmood al Zadjali, Ahmed al Toqi and Ahmed al Hosni.
A highlight is Anwar Sonya’s collection, “The Journey across Oman (1970 - 2008)”, documenting decades of travel across Oman.
“Anwar Sonya’s photography collection “The Journey of across Oman (1970 - 2008)” is dedicated to the many years of journeys made by Anwar Sonya across Oman, reflecting the natural, cultural, and social diversity in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, Salalah, Sur, Musandam, Wadi Al Alia, Muscat, Al Seeb, Bahla, Nizwa, Yiti, Muttrah and Wadi Al Kabir. Through these photographs, Oman is revealed as a space of continuous movement in time - from traditional ways of life to modern development, from old roads and settlements to new cities and infrastructure,” said Volodymyra Sobolevska. “The Sonya’s photography also shows the evolution of photography itself: 1980s - sepia-toned photographs reflecting the atmosphere of old Oman; 1990s - colour film photography representing a period of active change; 2000–2008 - photography capturing contemporary life” - she added.

The exhibition also includes early photography by Hassan al Meer from the late 1980s.
“Through my lens, I was observing a society in transition, where people, places, and traditions were slowly changing. These images reflect how I perceived those subtle transformations and the quiet dialogue between human presence and the land,” Hassan al Meer said.
Qasim al Farsi, a Drone Photo Awards 2021 winner, and who is affiliated with Fédération Internationale de l'Art Photographique (FIAP) and the Photography Society of Oman, presents aerial photography “The dream football playground in Sur (2022)” and “Wadi Ghul Al Hamra (2019)”.
French photographer Emmy Culianez presents photographs by both sighted and visually impaired audiences.

“Each photograph is accompanied by complementary elements - such as descriptions, narratives, or sensory components - allowing different ways of approaching the image. Created in the context of the bicentenary of photography, my project questions the idea of inclusion and explores how photography can be shared beyond vision alone. The exhibition invites visitors to experience images not only by seeing them, but also by imagining, listening, and feeling them,”said Emmy Culianez.
Featuring emerging Omani photographers such as Eman Ali, Abdulaziz al Hosni, Sard Visual, Waheeb al Wahaibi, Mahmood al Zadjali, Ahmed al Toqi and Ahmed al Hosni, the exhibition brings together diverse practices, including iPhone and AI photography, that reflect contemporary social, cultural and artistic transformations.

“Stal Gallery actively contributes to the arts and cultural sector by supporting non-profit initiatives, providing resources and sponsorship, and engaging with creative communities as part of its broader commitment to corporate social responsibility. Stal Gallery is a pivotal platform for cultural diplomacy, providing unique opportunities for international art events, particularly the French Weeks programme,” said Volodymyra Sobolevska.
During the exhibition, Stal Gallery offers guided educational tours for schools, colleges, universities, and tourist groups, including adapted tours for visually impaired visitors.