An exhibition of photography brought to Egypt by Dr Anne-Marie Willis in partnership with the Australian Embassy and the Arab Association of Civilization and Islamic Arts
On November 17, 1869 the Suez Canal was opened to navigation in a lavish ceremony that used up over a million US Dollars. Following the opening, Egypt became a stop for travelers from the West to the East. And during the First World War, many soldiers would pass through the Suez going to fight in Europe and other places. Among the soldiers would be Australians from down south.
A hundred years after the war, Anne-Marie Willis, who lived in Egypt for several years and recently returned to Australia, has found some extraordinary photos of Egypt from the National Library of Australia, the Australian War Memorial and other public collections. What could these photos tell?
Naturally, the photos speak a lot about the war and brave Australian soldiers. Yet, they could also tell different stories altogether.
An exhibition curated by Anne-Marie Willis, “shows places that have become invisible as Cairo has grown, such as the Delta Barrage Bridges or Baron Empain Palace surrounded by sand dunes.”
Other photos show the effects of the First World War on Egypt, with a vast military camp in front of the pyramids, and thousands of Egyptian men recruited to support the British war effort. And then there are the tranquil scenes recorded by an Australian nurse, that tell a story which is not at all tranquil.
The exhibition, Egyptian Images from Australia, is supported by the Australian Government through the Council for Australian-Arab Relations of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The exhibition will be held in Cairo at the Palace of Amir Taz from February 15-28 and in Alexandria at the Museum of Fine Arts from March 4 -14h.
Source APO Group
