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Artur Eranosian - Introduction and Curator Statement

This week I am presenting you seven young talented photographers from Belgium. My country produced a significant number of internationally acclaimed photographers. This is the new generation. Apart from a blogger I am a photography student myself and the photographers presented here are my sources of inspiration. They are all documentary photographers and each is in the process of developing his/her own style.

Lisa is a very motivated and ambitious young woman. She is very good at networking and convincing people and able to adept herself to almost every situation. I think that her work on the Roma gypsies presented here has an exceptionally high quality. A great number of photographs covering this situation have been published in Belgian newspapers and magazines. None of them have the strength of Lisa’s. She has added additional layers of emotion, resulting in images that entice you to look at them over and over again.

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Selected by Artur Eranosian on December 19, 2009 | Tag: Bulgaria, documentary photography, Europe, humanitarian photography, migration | Share/Save

2 Comments so far

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Nil said: 2009.12.19 14:09

Indeed, I have not seen this warm sensitivity in any newspaper pictures…
Lovely work!
Open Borders @ the black snapper « Lisa Van Damme said: 2009.12.19 19:26

[...] Open Borders @ the black snapper Day 142 – Freedom Of Movement In The EU. [...]

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Open Borders

Lisa Van Damme (Belgium, 1985)

Ghent, Belgium

Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007. This resulted in several benefits for all parties concerned. Borders were opened and free travel between member States became possible.

As some Romanian gypsies have to endure harsh conditions in their country of origin, they use their right to search for happiness and opportunities in other member States. But due to low schooling, difference in language, no social networks and so on, they tend to become the new poor of our society.

This series of photographs concerns a group of gypsies who originate from the same village in Romania and who came searching for a better future in Ghent, Belgium. As they had nowhere to stay, they settled down in an area of dispossessed allotments. This resulted in degrading living conditions resembling those of a slum. Deprived form running water and electricity and living in self made shacks, they try to get by.

This series shows a few days in the life of these people and was realised as a result of my volunteering work for organisations that try to help those in need.

I am aware the topic of gypsies is not original. Said that, the context and background, as well as the history that leads to these problems is new.

In the wake of publication of this story recently, political action aimed at solving this problem has been initiated. It should be clear such degrading circumstances should be avoided by structural actions on an European level.

Visit Lisa Van Damme’s website here.

Yesterday's presentation - click image.

Random slideshow - click image.