honorable mention
VALERIE LEONARD francePhoto © VALERIE LEONARD
title
LOOK AT ME
Mamtu is 14, she's a member of Bobas tribes. In Rajasthan, it is not uncommon to see people with green eyes. Among the lower castes are Bopa Kalbeliya and gypsies. Despite their lower status, they are proud of their roots. They earn their living by performing songs and dances or selling fabrics and traditional jewelry. I met Mamtu during the "Kumbh Mela". Each year, in the holy city of Pushkar built at the edge of a lake, near the Thar Desert, takes place the "Camel fair" or "Kumbh Mela". For 12 days in the largest cattle fair in Asia, farmers Rabaris then camp on the sand dunes to sell a few thousand camels to customers from all over India.
Mamtu's parents travel all year round, from fair to fair, selling fabrics and embroidered clothing.
In each village they set up their tent that they use as well as a stand to present their products, as a place to live.
Mamtu, like most children of her caste, doesn't go to school. Her parents cannot afford it and moreover, they rely on the help of their daughter in their trade.
When she presses the shutter, she remembers the doctrine of her father: "Always tell the Truth, but in terms of Beauty".
Valerie Leonard strives for her work to embody to this search for truth and beauty of human beings, whatever their origin or wealth.
Far from seeking aesthetic or false compassion, she wants to show the dignity of these women and men, in particularly hostile environments.
Throughout her trips around the world she focused her work particularly on a theme that she named “Labours of Hercules”.
A series of photographs where she attempts to show with utmost respect and admiration the nobility and courage of those living in difficult conditions.
back to gallery
entry description
INDIAMamtu is 14, she's a member of Bobas tribes. In Rajasthan, it is not uncommon to see people with green eyes. Among the lower castes are Bopa Kalbeliya and gypsies. Despite their lower status, they are proud of their roots. They earn their living by performing songs and dances or selling fabrics and traditional jewelry. I met Mamtu during the "Kumbh Mela". Each year, in the holy city of Pushkar built at the edge of a lake, near the Thar Desert, takes place the "Camel fair" or "Kumbh Mela". For 12 days in the largest cattle fair in Asia, farmers Rabaris then camp on the sand dunes to sell a few thousand camels to customers from all over India.
Mamtu's parents travel all year round, from fair to fair, selling fabrics and embroidered clothing.
In each village they set up their tent that they use as well as a stand to present their products, as a place to live.
Mamtu, like most children of her caste, doesn't go to school. Her parents cannot afford it and moreover, they rely on the help of their daughter in their trade.
about the photographer
Born in Paris, french-american, Valerie Leonard has always been surrounded by a world of images. Her mother was a painter, and her father, photographer, Herman Leonard.When she presses the shutter, she remembers the doctrine of her father: "Always tell the Truth, but in terms of Beauty".
Valerie Leonard strives for her work to embody to this search for truth and beauty of human beings, whatever their origin or wealth.
Far from seeking aesthetic or false compassion, she wants to show the dignity of these women and men, in particularly hostile environments.
Throughout her trips around the world she focused her work particularly on a theme that she named “Labours of Hercules”.
A series of photographs where she attempts to show with utmost respect and admiration the nobility and courage of those living in difficult conditions.
back to gallery