Following their exhibition at the British High Commission on Tuesday, international photo journalists Jason and Helen Florio today handed over their work to the TRRC in a ceremony done by Her Excellency the British High Commissioner, Sharon Wardle.
Helen and Jason are documentary photographers and have worked in the Gambia for almost 20 years. Their project “Portraits for Positive Change” chronicles the story of victims and survivors of the 22 years of dictatorship in The Gambia.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, High Commissioner Wardle noted that the portraits are not about negativity but aims to promote positive change. While telling the story of victims, it also testifies to their resilience and can help Gambians in remembering and standing firm for “Never Again”.
She added that the material will also help enhance the TRRC outreach activities which aim to engage people across the country.
Ms. Adelaide Sosseh, Deputy Chairperson of the Commission thanked High Commissioner Wardle as well as Jason and Helen for their love and continued support of The Gambia in our pursuit for positive change.
She highlighted that the portraits are a powerful visual tool for giving survivors and victims’ a voice and to engage people in the TRRC’s never again campaign.
She added that these photographs will form a nucleus of the Museum that the TRRC intends to setup at the end of its work, as a legacy and a remembrance of the human rights violations that occurred here, as well as a reminder that never again should we allow such things to happen in this country again.
On the part of the photographers, Jason said: “As photo journalists, our aim is not just to document and create a record of events but to use our photographs as a tool for positive change and advocacy – giving a platform for the victims and their families, where they can be seen, heard, and honoured”.
The exhibition will be publicly displayed at the TRRC’s exhibition room and hearing hall and will also feature as part of the TRRC outreach activities countrywide.