Tag Archives: Iraqi refugees

I love finding artists whose work I admire and, at the same time, are making a difference in the world.  In the case of Joshua Seale I didn’t have to look very far.  He’s my nephew and that’s my way of making full disclosure – yep I’m biased.

Joshua is a fine photographer who has traveled all over the world to capture his images.  South Africa.  The Congo.  Guatemala.  Belize.  Syria.  Lebanon.  Hong Kong.  Malaysia.  Malta.  He loves capturing the faces of people from all walks of life.  Many are children.  Most are poor who generally live very differently than you or I.  Looking at their faces they give me something to think about.  Smiling.  Going about their lives.  Maybe wondering why someone wants to take their picture in the first place.

This past summer Joshua took an amazing trip to the Congo with a group who brought cameras to children, who were given an opportunity to photograph things that meant something to them.  Some may have never seen or held a camera in their lives.  Meanwhile Joshua took their photos.  Some were contributed to a 2010 calendar from Global Children’s Movement to help eliminate children’s poverty and exploitation around the world.  Joshua’s project reminds me of the wonderful film Born Into Brothels, in which Indian children are given cameras to record their world – momentarily escaping their own oppressed lives as they look through a lens for the first time.

Josh’s most recent trip was to Beruit, Lebannon, to photograph Iraqi refugees displaced by war and persecution.  The photos are amazing.  Living in a hostile circumstance where they are unable to legally work and provide for their families, their faces betray the hope of returning to Iraq one day.  Most are Chaldean Christians from the north of Iraq.  Many are children who have known no peace in their daily lives.

Joshua’s heart is broken for those who need hope in their lives.   He uses his skills to make a difference.  He has inspired me to try and do the same with my art.  Oh, and did I mention – I adore him?

For more on Joshua’s humanitarian work visit www.cultureasart.com.  Joshua is also a travel and wedding photographer and this work is featured on www.joshua-seale.com.