Got a request today to send down a photo for the promotional magazine the "Exposure Photography Festival" publishes each year. I sent down 3 photos for the organizers to choose from as well as this artist statement.
"Families of the Dump" Artist Statement
"As long as poverty, injustice and
gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest."
Nelson Mandela
I make my photographs in the dump and elsewhere
for one reason, to tell the stories of forgotten people. My hope is that the
work will show the humanity, the dignity of the exploited and raise awareness into their lives.
The "Families of the Dump" documentary
photography series was made at the Mae Sot, Thailand garbage dump. At the dump 400
people in 50 plus family groups live and work scavenging for recyclable goods.
The families are made up of Burmese refugees mostly from the Karen ethnic group;
who travelled illegally from Burma into Thailand. In Burma these people faced
political and economic persecution, they came to Thailand to work in the dump
hoping for a better life. These photographs tell their story.
Gerry Yaum
