Joanna Larry's wife suggested I needed to do a bit of proof reading on my artist statement, she was right so I revised it a bit. I also did a bit of work on the poem. Here is the latest version and probably what I will print up. I am making my own artist statement documents, will try printing them at work next week then mounting them to foam core board.
Did a bit of printing today, but not enough. Now I need to go shovel snow outside my home and then visit dad and shovel snow there as well. I need to do more printing on my return, I hope I am not to tired!
----------
I make my photographs in the dump and elsewhere for one reason, to tell the stories of forgotten people. It is important that their stories are told, with dignity and compassion. My goal is to show the common humanity we all share.
Please help the children and families of the dump by donating to: www.eyestoburma.org/
Gerry Yaum
Did a bit of printing today, but not enough. Now I need to go shovel snow outside my home and then visit dad and shovel snow there as well. I need to do more printing on my return, I hope I am not to tired!
----------
"The Mae Sot Project"
Artist Statement
"As long as poverty,
injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly
rest."
Nelson Mandela
The Mae Sot Project ("Families
of the Dump") documentary photography series was made at the Mae Sot,
Thailand garbage dump. At the dump approximately 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 tribe; who travelled illegally
from Burma into Thailand. In Burma these people face political persecution and economic
hardship, they came to Thailand hoping for a better life.
I make my photographs in the dump and elsewhere for one reason, to tell the stories of forgotten people. It is important that their stories are told, with dignity and compassion. My goal is to show the common humanity we all share.
Children
Of The Dump
Flies buzzing in the sunshine
Flies buzzing in the sunshine
Garbage and long toil
Giggles
with quick laughter
Playing with barking dogs
Playing with barking dogs
Broken
glass and sweet hugs
Found food but lost school
Stomach worms and stinking waste
Rats running with the rice
Found food but lost school
Stomach worms and stinking waste
Rats running with the rice
Yet new hope
and new life
Children of
the dump.
Please help the children and families of the dump by donating to: www.eyestoburma.org/
Gerry Yaum
