IN an effort to inspire, promote conservation awareness through an artistic lens, and celebrate Guyana’s rich cultural heritage/traditions, the Environmental Management Consultants Foundation (EMC), in collaboration with the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), launched a photographic exhibition at the Castellani House in Georgetown last Saturday under the theme, “Guyana through Your Eyes”.
Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports Charles Ramson, in his recent presentation, said that the government is dedicated to making sure that its citizens have a sustainable future through innovative programmes like these
that are encouraging the arts as a catalyst for environmental protection.
Minister Ramson stated that “incorporating photography and the creative arts into environmental advocacy efforts can bring a fresh and compelling perspective to these important issues, fostering a greater understanding of the interconnectedness between us and the natural world. I commend the EMC Foundation’s efforts in seeking to advance environmental awareness in Guyana. Their efforts to raise environmental awareness in Guyana deserve to be applauded. This allows our society to become a lot more aware of the environment and our duty to conserve it.”
He also added that “this allows our society to become a lot more conscious about the environment and our responsibility for its protection.”
Also speaking at the exhibition was the EMC Foundation’s Founder and Director Shyam Nokta, who stated that photography is a new champion that has evolved in the face of the world’s growing environmental problems.
According to him, photography is proving to be an essential instrument for advancing environmental education and spreading awareness about critical ecological issues due to its singular capacity to cut across language boundaries and provoke emotions.
Nokta said, “Photography allows us to capture the essence of what is around us, including nature and the environment. Advances in technology allow us all—those who have a passion for photography and an interest in nature, as well as professionals in these fields—to capture unique moments. This competition and exhibition by the EMC Foundation have sought to bring together photography and interest in nature as part of efforts to continue to raise awareness about the environment. We hope that through raising awareness, we can help to connect people to take positive action on the environment.”
While speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, the Programme Manager of EMC, Ms. Stella Madete, explained that the exhibition honours photographers from across the country who were able to capture the beauty of Guyana’s landscape and the “rich cultural history.” According to her, “the exhibition aims to foster a love of the natural environment, raise awareness of conservation issues, and offer a stage for creative expression.
Photographers have the unique ability to transcend language and cultural barriers. They play a crucial role in documenting our planet’s vast natural and cultural diversity, and by capturing images of cultural practices, endangered species, rare habitats, and delicate ecosystems, they provide invaluable records, foster understanding, and ignite the passion for protecting our diverse ecosystems.”
While the GTT’s Chief Commercial Officer, Kerchelle Charles, said, “Our support for this competition stems from the desire to showcase the breathtaking natural beauty of Guyana, simultaneously empowering and amplifying the works of talented photographers. Our partnership with the EMC Foundation underscores our dedication to uplifting our communities, celebrating the diversity of our nation, and supporting the transformative power of creativity.”
The top three photographs that captivated the expert panel of judges include ‘Contrasting Fields,’ an aerial perspective of a cow in a rice field; ‘Ready for the Journey, by Lakhram Trevor Bhagirat, showing a dugout canoe mind stream; and the winner, ‘Mommy’s Patience, by Keiran Samuels, a dramatic image of a Crimson Topaz Hummingbird braving the rain in her nest. Elated from his win, Keiran shared his appreciation for the initiative: “‘I’m incredibly proud to be the winner of this year’s Guyana Through Your Eyes competition. Photography is a powerful medium that can bridge the gap between people and the natural world, fostering a deeper appreciation for nature’s beauty and importance. Platforms like these are important to not only show our work but also encourage people to look closer, feel deeper, and consider their role in conserving the environment.”
The exhibition is the result of the photography competition “Guyana through Your Eyes,” which brought together more than 100 creative photographers from all around Guyana. A distinguished panel of judges, including Michael Lam, Amanda Richards, Darrell Carpenay, Elodie Cage-Smith, Michael Lam, and Roberto Teekah, chose the best entries from the competition to display.
“Our expectations were met and even exceeded. These images represented a range of subjects and visions across the length and breadth of our beautiful country. Every photographer should take pride in being included in the shortlist, and even more so in being exhibited in the National Gallery of Art, because now, each piece is more than just a photograph; it is a work of art to be admired, discussed, to be a source of inspiration, and a piece that provokes thought in the viewers,” said Michael Lam.
Also in attendance were the Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd; the Minister of Tourism, Oneidge Walrond; US Ambassador Sarah Anne Lynch; Mexico Ambassador Mauricio Vizcaíno Crespo; IDB Country Representative Lorena Solórzano Salazar; the President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, Ms. Dee George; and the Executive Director of the EPA Mr. Kemraj Parsram.
