A Year in the Times: A capsule of history through Amir Hamja’s lens
The exhibition allows viewers to be part of the 24 photographs of the many captures of Amir Hamja, which were documented during his year-long fellowship at The New York Times
Standing in front of the walls of photos displayed at the EMK Center, the saying "A picture is worth a thousand words" comes to mind. After all, that is the only way to describe the photos of historical moments that line the wall–such as the glamour of the Met Gala and the powerful imagery of the George Floyd protests taken by Amir Hamja.
'A Year in the Times,' is the first solo exhibition of Amir Hamja, an award-winning photographer whose work has appeared in the pages of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The Guardian, and many others.
Amir Hamja is the first Bangladeshi photographer to join Times as a photography fellow. The exhibition acts as a documentation of his works and experience during the fellowship, where he used his camera to bring forth narratives on identity, culture, and community. The exhibition opened its doors on 19 December 2024 and will come to a close on 4 January 2025.
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It is undeniable that the stories Hamja highlights through his photography are as heartfelt as they are breathtaking.
"I took over a hundred photos, but this exhibition is, if you ask me to highlight the most prominent and my best works, it would be these for sure," Hamja shared.
Among the many photos he captured, 24 were on display, showcasing viral moments and raw, emotional storytelling.
While the venue wasn't a traditional gallery, the room was more multipurpose, with tables and chairs, distracting visitors from the exhibition's photos. However, the photographs themselves were nothing short of extraordinary.
One of the standout pieces of the exhibition was from his series on George Floyd, which played a pivotal role in his career and started his journey with the New York Times.
The series documented the aftermath of Floyd's tragic death and the global protests it sparked. One photo, in particular, stood out: an interracial couple watching from their apartment window as police officers walked past during a Black Lives Matter rally in Greenwich Village.
The work didn't just capture the moment—it captured how people reacted and raised their voices collectively against injustice, offering a personal and powerful perspective.
One of the most powerful moments from Amir Hamja's exhibition was his feature on the Palestinian family, Adam and Ola Abo Sheriah, titled 'It's Just Agony: A Suburban Family Mounts Nearly 200 Gaza Relatives.'
The photo, taken in Springfield, New Jersey, captured Adam comforting his wife as she broke down in tears, overwhelmed by the anguish of their family's struggles in Gaza. Just moments earlier, Adam had been on the phone with his brother's family in Egypt. The raw emotion in the image spoke volumes about the weight of their circumstances.
Although Hamja's fellowship at The New York Times has ended, his journey is far from over. "This year taught me so much," he reflected. "My colleagues inspired me to be better, to do better. I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity."
His time at The Times gave him opportunities that most photographers only dream of, like covering the Met Gala and the Oscars.
One of the highlights from Met Gala 24 displayed in the exhibition was a picture of Zendaya wearing a vintage Givenchy gown from 1996, the year she was born. The black taffeta dress was simple yet stunning.
These moments challenged him creatively and allowed him to showcase his talent for capturing stories that feel raw, something that you could resonate with and go, "Oh, that's another way to look at it."
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Hamja humbly reflected on the impact of this photograph, taken almost instinctively. "It's an honour to capture a moment like this," he said, "one that brings attention to the constant fear, worry, uncertainty, and deep pain caused by losing loved ones in wars."
A boy watching the pro-Palestine rally from inside CVS store
The photo shows a young boy with a thoughtful gaze, looking out the window, watching a pro-Palestine protest. The protest occurred in Freedom Plaza in Washington, DC on 4 November, 2023. The photo was featured in The Year in Pictures 2023 by The New York Times.
Jordan Aaron Hall, A fan of Beyonce arriving at the Met Stadium in New Jersey
The photograph portrays a portrait of an individual whose face is partially obscured by decorative beaded strands dangling from a hat. The outfit is in tune with Beyonce's own outgoing fashion. The photo was selected as one of the 'Photos That Defined Styles Desk in 2023' and it was taken in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on 30 July 2023.
