When I was in the slum yesterday I found that many of the people I photographed before had passed away. When I showed the photos to people in the neighborhood where the person lived I kept hearing "Die Laow" (he is dead already). 3 of the portraits I gave out were to the families of men who had passed away. Living in the slum is a hard life, life expectancy is low, medical care limited, substance abuse high. I missed meeting one man Khune Oo-Dom by 2 months, one I knew already last trip had died (met his brother this trip), and another was Dom a drinking man from 2012. I was surprised that Dom had passed because he was only in his mid 40s, being an alcoholic takes it toll I guess.
Its always surprising to me how quickly people can disappear, you spend time with them one trip, make their picture, hear their stories then when you return in a few months or a year they are gone forever. In some ways the only record of their lives, or one of the few records of their being here is the portraits that were made.
Its always surprising to me how quickly people can disappear, you spend time with them one trip, make their picture, hear their stories then when you return in a few months or a year they are gone forever. In some ways the only record of their lives, or one of the few records of their being here is the portraits that were made.
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| Khune Oo-Dom 70 Klong Toey Slum 2012 (passed on Sept 2013) |
