SWPP

Well known Maltese photographer Kevin Casha and SWPP member has just recently returned from a very Kevin Casha with Wang Yanjun & Ayman Lotfysuccessful trip to China. He was one of the guest photographers invited by the Chinese Ministry of Culture to take part in the 2nd China Jinan Contemporary International Photography Biennial.

The Biennial, lasting over a week, was mainly centred around the vast complex of the Shandong University of Art and Design and attracted no fewer than 20,000 images from nearly 100 different international photography associations and organisations as well as a substantial entry from the Shandong University students themselves.

The event consisted of a print exhibition of over 1800 works selected from the Biennial entries, the attendance of a host of international photographers coming together to lecture and discuss the many aspects of contemporary photography, various symposia and one-man exhibitions by Master Photographers. The Biennial culminated in a grand Award Winning ceremony covered extensively by various teams of international media including China Central Television (CCTV).

The Biennial, one of the biggest events of its kind, featured the participation of some of the top most influential and important photography associations around the globe – such as the Professional Photographer’s of America, the International Federation of Photographic Art, the World Photography Union, the European Federation of Professional Photographers and the Chinese Artistic Photography Society. Top Photographers such as the Italian Riccardo Busi and American Dennis Croft, Wang Rui of China, Argentinean Nicola Berlingueri and Niki Huts of Belgium together with others took part in the various fora together with the participation of Malta’s own Kevin Casha.

Casha’s participation in the Biennial came through the intervention of the Chinese Ministry of Culture in Beijing. The Ministry selected five Master photographers from each of the 5 countries where their Cultural Centres are situated.

Casha also participated in the main photography competition achieving best Classic Picture Award, one of the top honours given at the Biennial, thus demonstrating again the standard that local Maltese photographers enjoy in the international arena.

Asked to comment on his experiences in China, Kevin said that the hospitality shown by the Chinese was second to none and the eagerness to learn by the University students was a joy to watch. He also commented on the high standard of Chinese photographers, especially in the Photojournalistic sphere and believes that this event is definitely bound to become one of the top dates in the international photography calendar.

He continued by saying that this was indeed a great opportunity to view some of the best works of current top photographers as well as to improve links with Photographic Associations from all around the globe.

Kevin ended by thanking, Ms Zhang Rui and Mr Wang Yanjun, from the Chinese Ministry of Culture, as well as Dr Zheng Hao of the Malta Chinese Culture Centre for their help and co-operation in making his participation possible.