Dunescapes is an ongoing project for more than a quarter of a century in an expanse called, The Empty Quarter in the United Arab Emirates. The stark landscape provides me an avenue for deeper introspection and study.
The desert landforms created primarily by the action of wind are very dynamic in nature endlessly portraying simple multifaceted forms that echo strong sentiments. They are energetic as well as mysterious. This series of images reflects my personal interaction with the arid landscape emphasizing their intriguing temperament while maintaining integrity. The monochromatic medium underlines their character and inherent nature. Lines, shapes, texture and the play of light creates an avenue for artistic exploration. I am mesmerized by the intrinsic hues in the early morning and evening light, but prefer to move out of the cliché and romanticized domain and present new vistas of personal interpretation. Finally, what I achieve in these works is by no means a result or product but an evolving process of a certain philosophy and taste accumulated through the years. Importantly, it has successfully provided me a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the realms of this specific landscape with a personal connect.
About Mohammed Arfan Asif
Arfan is a hospital pharmacist by profession and a photoartist by passion. His photographic journey began in the mid – 80s in his native Bengaluru in India. Arfan’s photographic subjects are primarily landscapes and portraits with a preference for the monochrome medium. He has exhibited his photographs regularly in photography exhibitions and galleries all over the world in more than three decades of intensive photography and won many awards including the grand prix in Serbia, FIAP Blue pin badges for best author in salons, Trierenberg gold medal, photo of the year in Germany, Al Thani gold medal, among 850+ awards spread over 66 countries. Arfan has been awarded International photographic distinctions from various organizations with the first being the Associateship of The Royal Photographic Society in 1994 apart from, Fellowship of The Royal Photographic Society (FRPS), Master distinction of Photographic Society of America (MPSA), Excellence Platinum of Federation of International Photographic Art (EFIAP/p), Master distinction of Image Colleague Society International (MICS) and Master distinction of International Union of Photographers (MIUP). Many photographic organizations have awarded him their honorary titles. He has been a regular writer, lecturer and a jury member for various photo contests. Since year 2009 he has been mentoring 100+ enthusiastic Shutterbugs in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he is presently located.