Monday 15 October 2007

MA Photo Blog - New EU

I have been told about Melanie Friend and her book on people from Kosovo, the portraits are gripping the peoples stories made me cry. You can see some of her images here:
http://www.theconnection.org/photogallery/kosovo/default.asp?counter=3



















Above is an example of Melanie Friends photo of a young woman in Neprosteno refugee camp in Macedonia 1999. (© Melanie Friend)

Before D.J. Clark told me about Melanie Friend, I started a photo project that explores the experiences of the new EU immigrant. Those from former communist countries who joined the EU in 2004 or after. I am currently photographing the Polish community in Brighton and I would also like to get in touch with people from the other "New EU" countries. This is the final project on my MA International Photojournalism (www.photoma.org).

My images don't aim to simulate Melanie Friends photographs, however, I am hoping to establish a connection between the sitter and the viewer as Melanie did. My first attempt on the 'New EU' portraits is here:


















The image shows Margaret who has three jobs: one in the Polish community center, one to teach polish and she has her own business. Margaret has been in the Uk for 2 1/4 years. She points out that she always wanted to live in the UK, however, when she finally did it wasn't as she though it will be but she is still happy to be here and intends to stay for a while. To the questions how she mixes with the British community Margaret replies: "Yes, I have plenty of people from different countries around me, not only Eu and English, from all over the world." (Photo © Julia Horbaschk)

With the images I want to try and break the stereotypical view that is created by mainstream media and portray the people from central/eastern Europe in a positive light. I am looking for groups of people that are wrongly judged by stereotypical representation such as "is always unemployed and takes benefits from the local tax payer", and there a plenty.

Many people forget that it is often falsely interpreted statistics or exaggerated opinion that create bad news and not true for many individuals who come from central/eastern Europe with a high working moral and with plenty to contribute to British society.



















This image shows the Polish born Regina and sculptor Robert Koenig with their son Janek. Regina works with Polish school children helping them to integrate into the UK school system. Robert is a Polish born/British sculptor whose work was recently featured on the BBC. His latest sculptures " are carved from Lime trees from the village where his Polish mother was born." For his work go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7015323.stm
(Photo © Julia Horbaschk)

As Britain is well known for its friendly foreign policies I see the project as a contribution to the current debate on immigration and I look forward if you want to join in the process.

If you are or know someone from a "New EU" Country, who lives in the UK and wants to tell his/her story please let me know. And if anyone has references to other photographers that are working on a similar theme, let me know too.

If you want to give your opinion/ write something to do with EU immigration issues feel free. Just remember this project is looking at the positive effects of immigration and only wants constructive criticism.

The 'New EU' theme evolved out of a series of portraits of people living in former East Germany. Images are here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/J.Horbaschk/IssueBasedOneJuliaHorbaschk

Thanks and stay in touch...

Further reading and links:
Magnum Photos: "Euro Visions" Project:
-Mark Power: Poland. For Mark's images click here.
-Martin Parr: Slovenia. For Martins images click here.
-Lise Serfati: Lithuania. For Lise's images click here.
For all images from the "Euro Visions" book/project click here.

-Bruno Barbey: Poland: For Bruno's images click here.

Guardian news on eastern/central European migration:
Polish Voting in the UK, 21 October 2007: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7054880.stm
October 17th 2007: http://www.guardian.co.uk/immigration/story/0,,2192777,00.html
May 23rd 2007: http://www.guardian.co.uk/eu/story/0,,2085994,00.html

Joseph Rowntree Foundation report "East European immigration and community cohesion" is free for download on: http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/details.asp?pubID=896
more reports on the theme: http://www.compas.ox.ac.uk/changingstatus/index.shtml

Click here for speech of Franco Frattini, European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security: “The future of EU migration and integration policy” (23 February 2007).

Melanie Friend: No place like home: Echos from Kosovo, some images from the book:
http://www.theconnection.org/photogallery/kosovo/default.asp?counter=3

For info on MA International Photojournalism please see: www.photoma.org