A profound privilege

Firenze, 6th March 2026

The Shape of Memories Finalist for the Saleh Al Ustad Legacy Award

Being part of a global stage like Xposure is already a profound privilege, but returning home with such a significant institutional recognition adds a truly special layer to the experience.
During the festival’s closing ceremony, my project “The Shape of Memories” was officially announced as one of the three finalists for the Saleh Al Ustad Award for Creative Photography.

Out of approximately 30 outstanding exhibitions at the festival, it was an absolute honor to reach the final shortlist alongside two incredibly compelling projects: 4th Quarter Athletes by the legendary David Burnett, and Russia at Dusk by Dmitry Ersler, who deservedly received this year’s award.

This specific award holds a very special meaning for my artistic practice. The Saleh Al Ustad Legacy Award celebrates “Vision Beyond Boundaries.” It was created to honour projects that push the limits of the medium, embracing experimentation in form, composition, and concept. It rewards the use of photography not just as a documentary tool, but as a space for invention, emotional reconstruction, and interpretive thinking.

My approach to street photography has always been deliberately unconventional. By moving away from the “single decisive moment” and choosing instead to superimpose dozens of moments to recreate the subjective memory of a place, I have always sought to explore the space between reality and imagination.
While this research has been met with wonderful international recognitions over the years, having it highlighted in Sharjah specifically for its conceptual nature is particularly rewarding.

It places “The Shape of Memories” in a broader, high-level conversation about how photography can shape narrative, mood, and atmosphere across vastly different visual languages—from pure documentary traditions to constructed, fine-art practices.

I am profoundly grateful to the award committee, to the festival curators, and to everyone who engaged with the exhibition. This recognition is a beautiful milestone in an ongoing journey, providing a fresh surge of energy to keep experimenting and exploring the shape of our memories.

The Shape of Memories: A Journey Through Perception, Place, & Image
Xposure 26