scylla
reggio calabria - 2009

I was in Reggio Calabria, in the toe of Italy, for the first time in the summer of 2009, when I was invited by a friend of mine. Reggio Calabria is considerd to be the stronghold of the Calabrian mafia ‘Ndrangheta. I found the region exciting because of it's beautiful landscape and historical culture. At the same time, I discoverd that this unique environment has been defiled. This made me think of the mythological monster Scylla, a grotesque sea monster. It lived on the Calabrian side of the Straits of Messina, facing its nemesis, Charybdis. The phrase "between Scylla and Charybdis" is a metaphor for a state of being caught between two inescapable dangers. Today, Scylla could be imagined as the ‘Ndrangheta, which is involved among many other illegal activities, in the waste management and construction industries. In Reggio Calabria, corrupt practices have led to illegal, hazardous, and hasty shortcuts in waste and trash disposal and issuance of building construction licenses. The city has been transformed by pollution and countless illegal, unfinished buildings. The ‘Ndrangheta blends into communities and conducts operations in stealth. Yet, its effect is real. The power of this modern-day Scylla is strong, casting grey shadows onto the daily lives of the local people.

nanoro
burkina faso - 2008

I traveled to Burkina Faso in 2008. It’s a poor, small, land-locked country in Western Africa unbeknownst to many. The majority of Burkina’s population lives in villages isolated from the capital and government assistance. While there, I traveled to Nanoro, one of these villages.

In Nanoro, I stayed at the St. Camille Hospital, collaborating with an Italian NGO. I witnessed death on a daily basis from malaria, malnutrition, HIV and viral meningitis, among other maladies. More arresting, I discovered a quiet and resigned acceptance of death among people too tired to fight or carry hope. I myself contracted malaria there, and for a few days was able to see through the perceptual lens of these villagers. In the darkness of suffering, the care and dedication of the staff at St. Camille Hospital shone a ray of hope to the people of Nanoro.

portraits of the resistance
tegucigalpa - 2009

I went to Honduras to cover the last months of the military coup before the elections. The Popular Resistance, opposed to the ousting of Manuel Zelaya, consists of people from all walks of life. On the day of the congressional vote to decide if the deposed president could be restored to office, the Popular Resistance had gathered at the Parque Central in Tegucigalpa. While the congressional assembly decided on Zelaya's fate, his supporters in the park demonstrated with passion, and tense anticipation. The portraits here are the face of this movement -a diverse group of people united by hope.
The congressional assembly voted to stand by the decision made on June 28, 2009 to depose Zelaya. Only 14 members voted for his return. The resistance is still active, waiting for the next elections.