Mohammed’s story began in the early 1960s when, already an amateur photographer, he visited the British Council to ask about our work. That encounter proved pivotal, as we gave him access to a cinematic projection machine and a sound recorder which he used to make broadcasts at school.
Mohammed shared films as well as educational materials, including documentaries on topics like agriculture and the Second World War.
The British Council’s ‘support empowered me to pioneer school broadcast and projectors,’ Mohammed explains. ‘It brought immense joy and inspiration to my peers. It was truly an incredible and encouraging experience.’
Throughout his life, and in the face of challenges like poverty, lack of resources and political instability, Mohammed remained committed to using art as a tool for positive change.
His perseverance brought him international recognition, with his photography coming to embody Libya’s history and cultural heritage.
More than 40 years after our initial encounter, we reconnected with Mohammed as part of Culture Connects Us. The project aimed to strengthen arts and culture across six cities in Libya by fostering collaboration between artists, researchers and communities.
In 2020, Hassan Onis, the President of the General Authority for Culture, established the prestigious Mohammed Karaza Festival in honour of Mohammed’s remarkable contributions to Libyan culture.
Today, Mohammed’s work stands as a testament to the power of dedication and storytelling through art. Like him, we are passionate about fostering creativity and creating space for cultural exchange.
Through ongoing collaboration and support for creative professionals, we continue to be a catalyst for transformative journeys in art and culture. Just as we were for Mohammed all those years ago.