Apple CEO Tim Cook lauds iPhone photos taken by school kids at Chennai Photo Biennale

What if art served a dual purpose? Besides promoting the art and the artist, now art is also highlighting the importance of heritage buildings by bringing them back to life. At the Chennai Photo Biennale, vibrant works of photography and art created by over 50 artists from over 13 countries adorn the walls of iconic heritage buildings, art galleries and even walls at railway stations across the city. 

Works of art are displayed at multiple colonial-era buildings such as the Senate House in the Madras University, The Madras Literary Society, The Government College of Fine Arts and the Government Museum in Egmore. 

“The first edition of Chennai Photo Biennale was in 2016, where our team established that a large audience can be attracted for the art of photography and utilize public spaces,” said Varun Gupta the Founder of the Photo Biennale. “We wanted to use public space to engage people where they are. So why not put it in places they want to see such as beautiful heritage buildings”, he added. 

The 2019 Biennale gains more significance as the team has started teaching school children photography using mobile phones. Since November 2018, the team has taught over 265 students from across private and government schools to shoot pictures on iPhones. 

Of the larger group, 25 students were also imparted advanced photography training to better understand the technical parameters of visual storytelling. The students’ work has been exhibited at the iconic Government Museum which was started in 1851. 

The pictures displayed at the museum capture the life of fisherfolk and the beauty of Chennai’s coastline in vivid colours. Beyond the exhibition itself, there’s another reason for the kids and those at CPB to celebrate and hod their heads or perhaps cameras high. 

Apple CEO Tim Cook tweeted, “Impressive work by these young photographers! Using iPhone XR, more than 260 school children from around Chennai, India captured images of their community for the annual #ChennaiPhotoBiennale. #ShotoniPhone”. 

Speaking about the recognition from the Apple Chief, team CPB said, “We are thrilled to see the tweet by Tim Cook praising the works of our students. It goes to show the great young talent that exists here in Chennai and encourages us to continue our efforts in the grassroots campaign for improving visuals arts Education in India”. 

The Chennai Photo Biennale is underway at multiple locations in the city between February 22 and March 24.