Before They Pass Away
British-born, Amsterdam-based photographer Jimmy Nelson’s work is about origins, and transience; geography and anthropology; history and the future. As he shows, it’s a future where many cultures throughout the world are likely to be lost.
Source: © Jimmy Nelson Pictures BV, www.beforethey.com www.facebook.com/Jimmy.Nelson
Maori, Rauwhiri Winitana Paki, Taupo Village, North Island, New Zealand 2011
His images document the lives of people from indigenous tribes in countries including Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Namibia, Nepal and Ethoipia, as well as many others.
Source: © Jimmy Nelson Pictures BV, www.beforethey.com www.facebook.com/Jimmy.Nelson
Huli Wigmen, Ambua Falls, Tari Valley, Papua New Guinea, 2010
In total, he has photographed 35 of the world’s last indigenous tribes “as art – as icons”, as he puts it. The images have a measured, serene, portrait style – an elegance that puts the traditions and often fearsome forces of nature these people contend with through a Westernised, detached lens.
Source: © Jimmy Nelson Pictures BV, www.beforethey.com www.facebook.com/Jimmy.Nelson
Kazakh, Altantsogts, Bayan Olgii, Mongolia, 2011
However, there’s also an intimacy to the images. It’s clear that Nelson forges an empathy with the tribespeople and their lifestyles, looking to capture them in a wider context of how modern mankind has created a gulf between itself and nature.
Source: © Jimmy Nelson Pictures BV, www.beforethey.com www.facebook.com/Jimmy.Nelson
Maasai, Sarbore, Serengeti, Tanzania, 2010
“What am I trying to say? Look closer. In the developed world we’re very comfortable with our prejudices and our judgements, look closer as you never know what’s round the corner.”
He adds, “We have to wake up. We have to start documenting these cultures very quickly because they are going to disappear, and as soon as they disappear, we will lose something which is very important to us.
“It is our authenticity. It’s where we came from. It’s our origins.”
Source: © Jimmy Nelson Pictures BV, www.beforethey.com www.facebook.com/Jimmy.Nelson
Ni Vanuatu, Rock of Rah, Rah Lava Island, Torba Province, Vanuatu, 2011
Before They Pass Away runs from 25 September – 16 November at Atlas Gallery, 49 Dorset Street, London W1U 7NF
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I would agree that these images are incredibly beautiful but whether they show the truth is another matter.
I’m an avid follower of the charity Survival’s work and they are quick to blast Jimmy Nelson for his false representation of these incredible people. Here is their article against this body of work if anyone wants to learn more about the other side of the story http://www.survivalinternational.org/news/10244
Very beautiful indeed, although Ruth’s link seems to shed light on the real truth of what’s happening here.
After checking out Jimmy Nelson’s site I notice he’s selling a limited edition book for no less than £5500. I thought it was a typo, but no, £5500.
It doesn’t matter how much went into the production of that book, how can anyone justify marking up a price like that?
Seems pretty exploitative to me.