The Desert Found Me

A lyrical tribute to the UAE where silence becomes presence, Virginie Ellis invites the audience into Liwa, the ocean of dunes that became her muse. From a childhood spark inspired by Lawrence of Arabia to a Dubai rebirth, she crafts visual haiku of light, space, and sacred stillness.

The talk reveals the desert’s hidden fullness, Bedouin history, and its many faces. A living paradox, the desert is fragile yet powerful, ever changing yet eternal. Behind each image lie dawn chases, deep off road expeditions, Moreeb’s towering ridges, moonlit bivouacs, and dunes that sing. In the end, the desert did not only welcome her, it found her.

What you will take away:
• How to translate landscape and light into minimal visual narratives that carry emotion and meaning
• Practical fieldcraft for desert work, including planning for light, reading wind and sand, and travelling safely in remote areas
• Cultural context from Bedouin history that deepens ethical storytelling and place based photography

Who this is for:
• Photographers and filmmakers seeking to refine minimal, contemplative approaches to composition and light
• Curators, educators, and students interested in environment centred narratives and responsible field practice
• Anyone drawn to the UAE’s landscapes, looking to understand the desert’s ecology, heritage, and creative possibilities