Fatma Fahmy, an Egyptian documentary and daily life photographer, born in 1991, living in Cairo, has been selected by an International jury as recipient of the Daniele Tamagni Grant. The grant was set up photographer Daniele’s father after he passed away – his father wanted to carry on his work regarding education. He created the Daniele Tamagni Grant to offer others the possibility to learn and study at the Market Photo Workshop School in Johannesburg, South Africa. The grant also allows the recipient to attend industry events like Visa pour l’Image in Perpignan France.
Fatma’s winning portfolio ‘Once There Was a Tram’ photographs of the tramway users in Cairo, Egypt has been selected among over 100 submissions from 25 countries. The International Jury says: “We were impressed by Fatma strong storytelling, with images rich of poetry, values, nostalgia. Fatma focuses her attention on societies and communities still holding and preserving their traditional and ancient roots, creating respectful images ampliflying such historical and environmental bonds, shining lights over people’s lives.” Giordano Tamagni, Chairman of the Jury adds: “Her project is coherent to the spirit of the initiative and deeply connected to Daniele’s artistic heritage.”
Fatma underlines how hard it is to be a photographer, moreover female, in an one eyed society where things are perceived through a single perspective and where the camera is seen as the big brother. Despite violence and discrimination which represent the tough reality of the contest documented by Fatma, she amplifies in her narrative also those moments of the daily life, where people express identity and dignity.
Lekgetho Makola, Head of Market Photo Workshop, believes Fatma represents “the ideal profile for this scholarship, conceived to promote further elevation to the African culture, its creativity, its visual aesthetics and the in-depth exploration of the photography media.” The winning project Once There Was a Tram is dedicated to Alexandria’s 19th Centure tram network.