SUMON YUSUF'S "November in Paris” at AFD

The second solo photography exhibition by photographer Sumon Yusuf, titled “November in Paris”, is now on at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka.

Sophie Aubert, Ambassador of France to Bangladesh inaugurated the exhibition as chief guest while Matiur Rahman, Editor, Prothom Alo and Abir Abdullah, photojournalist, European Press Photo Agency were present among other distinguished guests at the opening ceremony held on November 4.

Every artistic heart around the world yearns for Paris to imbibe the inspiration it exudes. For an artist residency programme, Sumon Yusuf was in Paris in November 2015. He was mesmerised by the city of love and started photographing the poetic humane side of Paris.

But on November 13, a series of heinous terrorist attacks left 130 innocents dead and over 368 injured. For Yusuf, a city brimming with love and warmth all of a sudden transformed into a place of blood, tears and sadness.

In the face of such inhuman cruelty, Yusuf's photographs became the context he could hold onto: he decided to capture life.

Sumon Yusuf graduated in English Literature and studied Visual Literacy at Asian Centre for Journalism of Ateneo de Manila University from Philippines. He also attended a one-year diploma programme on Photojournalism at South Asian Media Institute, Pathshala. His works have been exhibited in USA, Australia, Japan, Bangladesh and 9th Angkor Photo Festival in Siem Reap, Cambodia and in France. 

Yusuf was awarded the first prize in an International Photo Contest titled “Climate: State of Emergency” organised by Alliance Françiase Foundation in Paris. He is the recipient of numerous awards for his work including Top Prize of IREX Photo Contest in Washington DC, USA; 1st Prize in the “Creation” category of the 1st JP's Prize for Contemporary Photography Competition in Bangladesh; 3rd place of Anti Corruption Youth Photo Contest of Transparency International, Berlin, Germany; Winner of The 73rd International Photographic Salon of Japan, Asahi Simbun; Winner of CGAP Microfinance Photo Contest in USA and Winner of People & Planet Photo Contest in Australia.

The exhibition is open from Monday to Thursday from 3pm to 9pm and from Friday to Saturday from 9am to12 noon and 5pm to 8pm, till November 15.