Glasgow photographer makes historical past with win at prestigious awards

The winners of The World Food Photography Awards had been introduced on Tuesday, with  Glasgow’s personal Sadia Sikandar claiming the highest two spots within the “home” class on the esteemed occasion in London. 

Photographers from greater than 30 nations, together with the likes of Australia, Switzerland, Malaysia, and the Philippines, all travelled to the annual award ceremony with the finalists’ work proven on the Mall Galleries within the English capital. 

Sikandar scooped the highest prize for her entry within the UK for UNHCR Food as Home class, which aimed to showcase how meals and consuming can evoke or symbolize residence for individuals who have been compelled to flee, whether or not from violence, battle, or persecution.

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The 29-year-old, who sought asylum within the UK six years in the past from Pakistan, defined how for a lot of refugees, meals might help construct each a reference to their residence nation and a way of belonging someplace new. 

The award-winning photographer mentioned that she scoured Glasgow to search out individuals who could be prepared to be topics in her artwork for the competitors.  

“You cannot imagine how many places I have been to request them so that I can take the photographs,” Sikandar informed The Sunday National. 

Sadia Sikandar on the award ceremony together with her successful submissions (Image: Sadia Sikandar)

However, it wasn’t too lengthy till the proprietor of an Algerian restaurant, based mostly in Glasgow’s south facet, mentioned she was more than pleased to be photographed by Sikandar.

Located on Allison Street in Govanhill, Qasba has shortly develop into one of many metropolis’s most talked about and beloved eating places with its providing of North African and Middle Eastern dishes with a concentrate on Algerian delicacies.

“Whenever I went over there, I felt at home,” Sikandar mentioned.

Adding: “I went to a lot of places, but not all the owners come out.”

However, with Qasba’s Algerian proprietor, Louisa Boulazreg, it was completely different as she typically spoke together with her.

“It makes you feel like you also come from the community where they are,” Sikandar mentioned.

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Sikandar mentioned she loved having “chit chats” with Boulazreg about all types of “random topics,” which helped construct belief between the pair and led to nice chemistry after they began taking pictures.

“To feel safe and open up in every conversation. This place made me feel at home, and that led me to build that trust, and she gave me permission to photograph her.”

Sadia Sikandar’s successful entry of Qasba’s Louisa Boulazreg (Image: Sadia Sikandar)

With greater than 12 years of pictures expertise and a grasp’s diploma in tremendous artwork, Sikandar mentioned she spent loads of time engaged on the scene’s composition, including that it was an vital aspect serving to to inform the story of residence comforts that she needed to convey. 

Along together with her successful submission, Sikandar wrote: “While dwelling within the UK, away from residence for seven years, ‘home’ not represents a geographical house for me. 

“It is a spot I am going to the place I really feel welcome, valued, and in a position to make good recollections. 

“This is a place I pass by whenever I have time; I sit with the restaurant owner, and we gossip and laugh a lot. The place and the people make me feel at home.”

Sikandar defined that all through the entire technique of getting the successful image, Boulazreg had the utmost perception in her as an artist. 

“When I photographed her, she said to me, even before I had finished, you will win it. You will win it,” she mentioned. 

Despite solely being allowed to take one particular person to the award present in London, Sikandar mentioned she knew she simply needed to take Boulazreg, as if it wasn’t for her, she might not have received. 

“She’s [Boulazreg] feeling so blessed and honoured that it’s a very big platform that I invited her, rather than my close friend, because I know how much she was worth it,” Sikandar mentioned. 

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However, unbeknownst to Sikandar on the time, she would go on to not solely declare first place in her class on the World Food Photography Awards but in addition the runner-up spot as properly. 

Unlike the meticulous setup for the Qasba shot, Sikandar’s image of Mandi & Sweet House captured the institution’s proprietor within the midst of a busy rush hour whereas serving clients. 

“He was in the process of making baklava and some sweets. I did not tell him to do this for me,” Sikandar mentioned. 

Sadia Sikandar’s runner up entry of Mandi & Sweet House’s proprietor (Image: Sadia Sikandar)

“He was already doing that when I entered his restaurant, and I said, ‘just keep doing it’.”

She added: “It was very very similar to he is within the second, it was very completely different.

“I wanted to capture the way he felt relaxed and within the environment.”

Sikandar mentioned she watched and photographed Mandi & Sweet House’s proprietor throughout “every step” for round an hour whereas he stuffed buyer orders.

Known for its Middle Eastern treats, the Yemen proprietor of Sauchiehall Street’s Mandi & Sweet House was additionally more than pleased to assist Sikandar together with her submission for the competitors, regardless that it was “really busy”. 

Sikandar: “When he started garnishing, I had to tell him two to three times, ‘slowly, slowly, you’ve got to garnish slowly so that I capture the moment’.”

“I’m really blessed that he gave me a little bit of time to be able to photograph the best moments while he was in the process of making some sweets.”

Sikandar mentioned she was “honoured” to be, that she believes, the primary winner from Scotland for the award, including that she was proud to symbolize the nation on a world platform in entrance of the world.

Sadia Sikandar on the World Food Photography Awards in London (Image: Sadia Sikandar)

She initially lived in Newcastle when she first got here to the UK, however moved to Glasgow two years in the past, and has since grown to name town residence. 

“I moved to Glasgow because I love Scottish people and the culture,” Sikandar mentioned. 

“This place attracted me, it makes me feel more at home. That’s why I’m really happy living over here.”

She added: “I’m receiving a lot love and assist from fellow photographers, from many politicians, together with Paul Sweeney, and I’m so blessed to have such a supportive system and inspiring environment round me. 

“Every time I achieve any success or move towards any kind of journey towards achieving anything. They all support me and encourage me.”

Following her win, Sikandar mentioned that “every single person came up to me, and they congratulated me”. 

Adding: “Other photographers, even world-famous cooks, additionally the host, they gave me a lot respect.

“I’m nonetheless dwelling in that second. It’s like a dream. 

“I could not sleep for the last two days because of so much joy.”