One picture can speak a thousand words

There is the 30^th GCC Traffic Week to create safety awareness among road users and the need to comply with rules and regulations. In the Gallery of Oman Society of Fine Arts, in Salalah, there is the remarkable solitary awareness campaign of photographer Anwar Al Makhzoom, one of the first members of the Photography Society. Fifteen years ago, Anwar and three other friends were badly injured. Speed driving by one of his friends caused the accident.

The exhibition shows pictures of wrecks of cars interspersed between pictures of children. The idea is clear. Tomorrow these children may also become the victims of reckless driving. Road traffic injuries cause considerable economic losses to victims, their families and to the community as well. In Anwar’s case it also changed his relationship with the one who drove the car. Till now this guy didn’t learn anything and still drive too fast. Anwar hopes to make a difference with this exhibition.

To underline his goal Anwar takes me to a black and white photo of a fifteen passenger bus totally burnt out along the way from Muscat to Salalah. Especially the color photo of the inside of the bus shows the disaster that took place during the fire. It makes you think. Just like the young lady in the portrait, who seems to share her thoughts with the outside world.

Ahmed Al Amri, Technical Advisor of the Minister of State of Dhofar Governorate: This exhibition done by individual efforts talks about a communal issue. The way these artist make the community aware of keeping the roads safe is remarkable and hopefully other youngsters will follow. There is an Arab saying: One picture can speak a thousand words.

Exhibition of keeping the roads safe, till the 17th of March in the gallery of the Omani Society for Fine Arts, in the building of KFC center from 7.30am till 8.30pm