honorable mention
Pål Hansen united kingdom
title
Windrush - Leave to Remain
In 2010, the Hostile Environment policy came into effect, resulting in members of the Windrush Generation being wrongly detained, wrongly deported, refused re-entry to the UK, refused the right to work, and some were denied the legal rights, benefits or medical care to which they were entitled.
Pal Hansen has photographed the victims of the Windrush scandal on a 5X4, large format, analogue camera. The old format camera was used as a symbol of history as well as giving each image value and each frame is carefully considered. After processing, the film was buried in British soil. This process has marked the film with scratches and bumps made by the earth to symbolise the scars and marks that Britain has put upon the individuals after having lived here for so many years. The film then also develops a physical root in the British landscape, much the same as the Windrush generation did when they helped rebuild war-torn Britain. Finally, the process of burying the film also starts to erode the film, like the government attempts to erase the individuals from the British landscape and as a metaphor of the lost identity.
Some of Pål's highlights have been photographing: the Queen of Denmark (smoking a cigarette), Nicole Kidman, Kanye West, Ringo Starr, Forest Whitaker, Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz and many more. He has also enjoyed producing covers for TIME Magazine, Sotheby's, Observer Magazine, Guardian Weekend, Sunday Times Magazine, Patek Phillipe Magazine and Emmy Magazine.
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entry description
The term “Windrush Generation” refers to the group of immigrants who were invited to the UK by the British government, to help rebuild Britain after World War II. These people arrived from Caribbean colonies, first docking in the UK on MV Empire Windrush in 1948.In 2010, the Hostile Environment policy came into effect, resulting in members of the Windrush Generation being wrongly detained, wrongly deported, refused re-entry to the UK, refused the right to work, and some were denied the legal rights, benefits or medical care to which they were entitled.
Pal Hansen has photographed the victims of the Windrush scandal on a 5X4, large format, analogue camera. The old format camera was used as a symbol of history as well as giving each image value and each frame is carefully considered. After processing, the film was buried in British soil. This process has marked the film with scratches and bumps made by the earth to symbolise the scars and marks that Britain has put upon the individuals after having lived here for so many years. The film then also develops a physical root in the British landscape, much the same as the Windrush generation did when they helped rebuild war-torn Britain. Finally, the process of burying the film also starts to erode the film, like the government attempts to erase the individuals from the British landscape and as a metaphor of the lost identity.
about the photographer
Pål Hansen is one of London's most published photographers. His pictures are seen in many British and international publications on a weekly basis and although Pål is mostly recognised for his portrait work, he has also excelled in reportage. He deals with his sitters on an individual basis and works hard to try to expose the true character behind the face. Pål's pictures show sensitivity and a great understanding of his subjects as well as incorporating humour where possible.Some of Pål's highlights have been photographing: the Queen of Denmark (smoking a cigarette), Nicole Kidman, Kanye West, Ringo Starr, Forest Whitaker, Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz and many more. He has also enjoyed producing covers for TIME Magazine, Sotheby's, Observer Magazine, Guardian Weekend, Sunday Times Magazine, Patek Phillipe Magazine and Emmy Magazine.
back to gallery