This is personal work titled 'Exposure'. The intention of this work is to create social change through visual storytelling.
Sharing insights into remote parts of the planet, where people are first hand experiencing the climate impacts of what we do in our cities far, far away.
Through this personal work I will reflect universal truths we instinctively know to be true about people and places. Through faces, and landscapes that when overlaid, undeniably reflect our relationships - past, present and future to place.
Like the deep lines on the weathered and wise face of this Tibetan elder resemble the glacial rivers that have carved their path, across the mighty Himalaya for centuries; almost as if her tears could be their source.
Set in the isolated geographical locations of the Hindu Kush Himalaya. Amongst communities most devastated by extreme climate impacts. Focused on the poorest groups - often women, and girls by default, persons with disabilities, and low caste households. Strong female-based societies, facing additional hardships alongside the burden of their mounting responsibilities.
Rich with indigenous knowledge. Best positioned as the most impactful agents of positive change. Role models for sustainability. Earths protectors. With little or no agency.
Everest legend Kami Rita Sherpa has kindly invited me to his village in Thame, Namche VDC of the Solukhumbu District in Nepal. Kami and I share a passion for human rights. I'm currently editing his book and he is going to introduce me to the Sherpa community who I will then live with for one month. I start this story there, in March 2023.
This is a journey, intended to be taken slowly. Connecting with communities: capturing stories of mountain life, glimpses of similarities and differences, insights into indigenous knowledge, customs, wisdom and beliefs takes time, and must be genuine.
The result: a series of double exposed, portraits shot outdoors on Tri X 400 film, using a Hassleblad 500CM and Softbox.
Exhibition will follow, likely in August 2023, with the culmination of this and future trips forming a book.
I don't have a fine art degree, nor am I known in the scene. I'm a people and places focused artist. Self taught, and intuitive. I come from a family of public servants - academics, artists, musicians and poets, activists, in social politics and humanitarianism.
When I've travelled, I've found myself drawn to remote places, to people. My relationship with the Hindu Kush Himalaya and it's people is a labour of love, spanning the last eight years.
I'm funding this personal work myself because I feel compelled to use the power of my art to take an active role in building community and giving back.
The creation and contemplation of art are powerful forces for bringing people together. As an artist, I know that art can be cathartic and healing. I also know that there are people around me with limited access to the arts.
Future trips ✨️
The incredible scientist Rinzin Phunjok Lama has invited me to visit his village of Humla, the most isolated place in Nepal. Small huts, open fires, and families living with the animals on mud floors are the norm in this countryside. The common means of transportation are mules which bring required products from the Tibetan border to Simikot.
I will also return to Ladakh to visit Tsewang Namgail, Director of the Snow Leopard Conservancy Trust India. We met last in 2016. This time I will explore the cultural eco tourism approach villagers are taking to protect the Snow Leopard, which in turn can enable them to farm and survive sustainably, in arguably one of the harshest environments on earth.
Watch this space.
