Landless People by Veronica F. Wijaya (June 21, 2010) 
(21 votes, average: 3.67 out of 5)
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Categories / Documentary Reportage / Human Interest / / Click here to open comments section, click again when done to close / Comments Off
Introduction by Yumi Goto
Seven female photographers living and working in their own places, covering issues affecting their people, cultures, politics and dreams. These are seven female photographers whose work I keep my eyes on. Not only they are women, but they are working in their own space, trying to reach out, trying to raise awareness and interest outside of their community or country. Through the lens, they expose what they witness and share with the subject what they feel. Often their countries’ issues are misinterpreted or exaggerated by foreign media, journalists and photographers. These women are from Nepal, Iraq/Kurdistan, the Philippines, Palestine, Pakistan, India and Indonesia—all culturally difficult areas in which to live and work, for women and photographers.
Yumi Goto is an art and photo documentary project coordinator and curator. Her work has focused on the development of cultural exchanges that transcend borders through collaboration with local artists and NGOs in areas affected by conflict. Goto has worked as the project manager and research/development director on numerous documentary photography projects about social issues in Asia including HIV/AIDS in Cambodia, human rights in Aceh and refugee issues. She has produced the documentary slideshow presentations and exhibitions that NGOs widely use as direct advocacy tools throughout the region and in Japan.
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Our poll "A photo essay always needs a great written story" closed. 267 people voted, 28% agrees, 72% disagrees. 233 people answered our follow-up question "Are you a photographer?" 82% indicated they are, 18% said no. Initially, negative answers to question #1 were almost 100% as was the pecentage of photographers among respondants. Then, when the level of non-photographers started to rise, the percentage of people indicating good text is always essential started to rise too. This seems to indicate that non-photographers think that adding good text to your photo essays is essential. In my opinion: if you want non-photographers to dig your work, you know what to do...
When the tsunami hit Aceh, Indonesia in 2004, a hundred thousand people died and tens of thousand houses were destroyed. It wiped out the infrastructure, making the region inhabitable.
In Teluk Dalam, South of Nias, life hasn’t changed by the tsunami for the family in these photographs. They had been living in a shack, and reconstructed it, seeing no reason to move to a tent camp for homeless and displaced people. They preferred the relative comfort of their slum house. These photographs document what their living conditions are like.
Artist statement: I have a passion for photojournalism, for developing photo stories working closely with people. I am passionate about humanitarian, development and volunteer work and try to capture untold stories with the photographs I take. For me, photography is a means to experience what other people’s lifes are about and learn from that, bringing a wider perspective on life.
My most recent experience with UN-Habitat/US-AID, UNDP Maldives, Afghanistan, Indonesia and Pakistan captured images of the aftermath the natural disasters and post-conflict reconstruction and development. The photos taken have been utilized for different UN-Habitat, UNDP, UNORC, UN-OCHA, US-AID, DFID and UNESCAP, HIVOS, and GFDRR reports including the Photobook ‘Anchoring Homes’ in Indonesia. My works have been published in local, regional and international publications/for a such as National Geographic Exhibition in Indonesia, Noorderlicht International Photo Festival in Netherlands, Contraluz Magazine in Spain and Enter World Press Photo website.
Veronica F. Wijaya (1977) lives and works in Yangon, Myanmar.
Click weblink veronicawijaya.com or browse our archives
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