honorable mention
James Forde ireland
title
La resistencia
April 2017 marked the start of an explosive four months of street protests that would leave 130 people dead, the large majority being youths. This battle can only be described as somewhat David and Goliath-esque although in this case Goliath triumphs. The streets of Caracas and several of the other larger cities in Venezuela were filled with protesters on a daily basis. Youths armed with stones, fireworks, molotov cocktails and home made shields to protect themselves while the local police forces and National Guard fired tear gas, rubber bullets, marbles, water cannons and also fire arms in their direction. The youths became organised within themselves, they created groups for different areas, had maps and plans and were very cautious as there was always risk of government infiltrators. At one point it really seemed that they were achieving something but on the 30th of July 2017, a referendum for constitutional change went ahead and was accepted. This was a huge blow to “ La Resistencia” that seems impossible to come back from. One thing is for sure that things will most likely get a lot worse before they get better.
Driven by an insatiable appetite for knowledge and information. His obsession with photography is not so much about the medium itself but more about building a portfolio of visual knowledge while connecting with people and communities that he normally would never encounter.The camera has given James an excuse to continue travelling and asking questions. It allows him to get far closer to things that he feels important in the world. While documenting these issues he uses the camera as a tool of education both for himself and those around him.
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entry description
In recent years in Venezuela, it’s population has watched as the country spirals out of control at a velocity which no one can keep up with. The once super rich oil nation is now home to some of the highest crime statistics on the planet, hyper currency inflation, a severely damaged health care system and massive food shortages due to complete lack of agricultural production. This is the future that many Venezuelan youths are met with.April 2017 marked the start of an explosive four months of street protests that would leave 130 people dead, the large majority being youths. This battle can only be described as somewhat David and Goliath-esque although in this case Goliath triumphs. The streets of Caracas and several of the other larger cities in Venezuela were filled with protesters on a daily basis. Youths armed with stones, fireworks, molotov cocktails and home made shields to protect themselves while the local police forces and National Guard fired tear gas, rubber bullets, marbles, water cannons and also fire arms in their direction. The youths became organised within themselves, they created groups for different areas, had maps and plans and were very cautious as there was always risk of government infiltrators. At one point it really seemed that they were achieving something but on the 30th of July 2017, a referendum for constitutional change went ahead and was accepted. This was a huge blow to “ La Resistencia” that seems impossible to come back from. One thing is for sure that things will most likely get a lot worse before they get better.
about the photographer
(Born in Dublin 1989) Son to a truck driving father and an office working mother. James hails from the green and wet lands of Ireland where he began his journey many years ago as a chef. This took him to live in London and New York as well. The last three years he has spent traversing through Latin America documenting social issues, perfecting his craft and trying to better understand the world around him. James attended no University or ever studied the visual arts as he left school at 16. After several different career choices he found his calling by accident when living in El Salvador. Since then his focus has been long term documentary projects looking at the affects political decisions have on those at ground level.Driven by an insatiable appetite for knowledge and information. His obsession with photography is not so much about the medium itself but more about building a portfolio of visual knowledge while connecting with people and communities that he normally would never encounter.The camera has given James an excuse to continue travelling and asking questions. It allows him to get far closer to things that he feels important in the world. While documenting these issues he uses the camera as a tool of education both for himself and those around him.
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