Mar
Yesterday, Wednesday 22nd March, was World Water Day. I am a day late in posting but I was away on assignment. The aim of World Water Day is to raise awareness of the 2 billion people worldwide living without access to safe water. World Water Day dates back to the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development where an international observance for water was recommended. The United Nations General Assembly designated 22nd March 1993 as the first World Water Day. This year it is all about accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis.
I have worked alongside a number of charitable organisations around the world, photographing the various projects that they are doing to help sustainable water and sanitation for all by 2030
There is an opportunity for everyone to help at the World Water Day website. Your commitments will be added to the Water Action Agenda, to be launched at the UN 2023 Water Conference – the first event of its kind for nearly 50 years.
This is a once-in-a-generation moment for the world to unite around water.
Feb
Nando’s has come a long way from its takeaway restaurant roots in Rosettenville, Johannesburg. It has grown as a company, recognising that everything it does is important, from the food on their menu to the impact that they have on the world.
Nando’s will be co-chairing the animal welfare working group with Defra, in the new Food Data Transparency Partnership (FDTP). The FDTP has been set up to measure the food industries impact on obesity, supply chain emissions and animal welfare. The body will additionally monitor the gathered data and ensure that it is freely available to the public.
There are already more than sixty food and drink leading names involved, representing the industry across the full spectrum of the supply chain.
The new Nando’s in Hatters Way Retail Park, designed by Fusion Design and Architecture, has a total of 135 covers divided between the main restaurant floor, a mezzanine level, and some seating outside. I was commissioned to photograph and capture the design of the restaurant. The overall pattern of the incredible ceiling panels is repeated in the bright green metal seating divides which are in turn complimented by the fabrics of the seating. The lighting ranges from feature pendants that draw the eye upwards, to wall sconces and directional spot lighting. The tiling, wall art and flooring all contribute to produce another amazing Nando’s space.
Nando’s are always working towards improving their overall standards committing to achieving absolute zero direct emissions and reducing the carbon footprint of a Nando’s meal by a further 50% by 2030 while pledging significant improvements to chicken welfare by 2026.
Feb
As a winner at the 15th International Color Awards my work is featured in the 2023 Winners Video Series.
The INTERNATIONAL COLOR AWARDS shines a spotlight on the best professional and amateur photographers worldwide and honours the finest images with the highest achievements in colour photography. www.colorawards.com
Feb
I am exhibiting two of my photographs from the series “Portraits of Resilience”, as part of a group exhibition in London. “The Art of Existence” collection has been curated by “The Holy Art” organisation with a private view on Friday 10th of February between 7.30 and 10pm at The Holy Art Gallery, The Factory, 21-31 Shacklewell Ln, London, E8 2DA. The work will be shown until Sunday 19th of February.
The Holy Art Gallery has rapidly gained recognition as a leading force in the contemporary and modern art scene, both locally and internationally. It has been described as “one of the most exciting and unconventional independent galleries of recent years.
As a group of galleries, with locations in London and Athens, the Holy Art Gallery invites artists to submit their work for consideration.
The diversity and vibrancy of these communities are reflected in the art that fills the exhibitions, providing a constantly evolving and stimulating experience for visitors.
I am showing two of the portraits photographed in collaboration with TASSC International for the series called “Portraits of Resilience”. The series of photographs feature portraits of survivors of torture from around the world who fled their home countries seeking safety, recovery, and political asylum. Most were tortured by repressive governments. These men and women were persecuted for such acts as: standing up for freedom of speech, exposing government corruption, fighting against gender-based violence or forced early marriage for girls.
Survivors are the strongest and most effective voice in the campaign to abolish torture.
Not all survivors want to be recognised for fear of repercussions to their friends and family. As such, each survivor selected a photograph that was significant to them. The photograph was then projected over the individual, sometimes obscuring their identity if anonymity was requested.
The portraits invite viewers to see the survivors in the fullest measure of their humanity— to look beyond whatever pre-conceived notions they might have about refugees and asylum seekers and see them as individuals with very human connections to place and home.
