Artist: Reem Al Faisal – Saudi Arabia

«I like to define myself as a Muslim artist, sprung from my native Saudi culture and history. In my art I am seeking to show signs of the Divine in nature and in Man. For me, light is one of the many manifestations of God. Which He casts in our path through life

to remind us of His constant presence in ourselves and in every place. Every photograph is a pattern of light and shade. For me, my photography is a way to praise God’s glory in the universe.»

Artist: Roumen Koynov – Bulgaria

Born in Bulgaria in 1964. After finishing his studies at the

Technical University in Sofia he moved to Plovdiv, a city famous for its rich cultural life. However, he found it rather difficult to make a living in post-communist Bulgaria, and in the year 2000 he and his wife emigrated to Brazil.

The move to Manaos brought Roumen not only the hoped-for professional recognition and economic security, he also found in the vibrant, chaotic atmosphere of this large city on the banks of the Rio Negro and in the rain forests of Amazonia that

bit of additional inspiration that seemed to have been lacking in his Bulgarian homeland.

Artist: Samuel Nja Kwa – Cameroon – France

The road and history of Jazz crosses the one of Slavery from the continent of Africa . It starts in Africa, developing different cultural nuances before the European invasion. A product of a creative mixes between Europe and the African traditional music on American ground, it is a symbolic expression of history. How can we evaluate the African musical culture once it has been deported? A victim of a violent invasion, how can it be recreated and renewed with the European and the American influences? How has it given birth to Jazz? Are there still traces of Africa in the Jazz of today?

Born in Paris, 1964, grew up between Douala (Cameroon), Paris (France) and Montreal (Canada). In 1996, returning from a travel in Japan he proposes his first exhibition “Visions of Japan”.

At the same time, he launches Le Disque Africain Magazine with friends and meets many African and Jazz musicians, whom he has photographed and interviewed. By choosing the portrait, he distinguishes himself with a very personal style.

His meeting with the African American pianist Randy Weston creates the catch. Samuel becomes more interested in African roots of Jazz.