TITLE: Empty Quarter Oman

“The Empty Quarter” in Oman
We all have such places, places that leave a lasting, almost permanent impression. Very
often it is difficult to define what exactly appeals to us so strongly. Yet, we find ourselves
returning there time and again. For me such place in Oman, is the Empty Quarter (Ar Rub
Al Khali) – the biggest sand desert in the Earth. In Oman I could explore only a small part
of this vast and often overwhelming space, which spreads out on more then thousand
kilometres. I have made many trips alone, equipped only with a camera and some
indispensable things: water, food, fuel and GPS locator. During all my time in The
Sultanate I have visited many parts of the Empty Quarter. This fantastic place is very
diverse, with many different environments, which have only one thing in common: the
sand. The amount of sand is beyond imagination and it stretches in form of dunes
beyond the horizon. But it was not only the sand and a harsh climate that allured me.
There was also incredible silence, lack of artificial lights or sounds, nights with the sky lit
by million stars. All this created unusual surrounding. The lonely trips into this emptiness
created perfect conditions for reflection and self-inquiry.
In the famous book “Seven pillars of Wisdom” Thomas Edward Lawrence quotes prince
Faisal saying “There is nothing on the desert and no man needs nothing”. However,
nothingness there is only apparent. If you look carefully at the surrounding nature, it
evokes a lot of thoughts unknown to anyone who have not experienced such amazing
wilderness.
Most of these images were captured in some particular parts of the Empty Quarter such
as Ramlat Hashman, Ramlat Gharbaniyat or Ramlat Az Zawliyah

AUTHOR: Jerzy Wierzbicki (Poland)

Born in Poland 1975. In the late 90's photographer of the archeological
missions in the Middle East. 2005 published his first book "Gdansk
Suburbia". Project about social and economical changes in Poland after
fall of communism.
Several photo awards: Humanity Photo Award" 2004, 2013
Newsweek Poland 2002
Polish Press Photo 2003.
"Maghreb Photo Award" 2020 and 2024
"Kolga Tbilisi Award" - 2021.
"Vantage Point Sharjah 9" 2021
"Analog Sparks" 2024.
'Refocus" 2024
Published in BBC news, Middle-east Eye and other media.
Photos in the collections National Museum and Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Photography
in Poland.
Currently photography lecturer in Scientific College of Design in Oman.