I’m just recovering after a very busy few weeks with the Amnesty International Human Rights Festival which went exceptionally well this year. For me the highlights were meeting Moazzam Begg, a British former prisoner of Guantanamo Bay who spoke eloquently about his experience in captivity. Then there were two photographers Teru Kuwayama and Balazs Gardi who not only gave an amazing presentation of their work in Pakistan and Afghanistan but who were also incredibly nice guys. Just talking to them was both inspiring and educational and personally helped me with which direction I want to take my work in the near future..more of that later..!!
For now though I received some good news that one of my Mongolia pictures has been selected for the Association of Photographers AOP Open Awards exhibition in London. This is an image I’m particularly proud of as for me it encapsulates the extremely difficult conditions these boys and others live in whilst the world just continues around them oblivious and indifferent to their situation. If you feel moved by this image then you can vote for it in the Public Choice Award. My image is on Page 7. Details of which are below.
Munkhbat (15) & Altangeret (15) have lived down this manhole in Unur district of Ulaan Baatar for over 3 years. Violence is commonplace and their manhole has been petrol bombed by rival street children 3 times in the last few years.
The exhibition runs from July 29th so if your in London pop in to have a look at all the entries.
Thanks..Rich…