“What is the purpose of photography? Why does it exist? And can photography make a difference?”
As a photographer crisscrossing the world on international assignments, these were questions that plagued his mind constantly, revealed multi-award-winning photographer, Robin Hammond, on the inaugural day (Wednesday, February 10) of the fifth edition of the Xposure International Photography Festival at Expo Center Sharjah.
Speaking at a seminar titled, ‘Condemned: Mental health in countries in crisis’, the photographer said it was a conversation with a cab driver in 2011 while on assignment to cover a developing political story in South Sudan, that eventually changed the course of his photographic work. On learning that people with mental health conditions were chained and locked in prisons, Hammond visited the nearby prison and was shocked to discover dozens of men and women living in the most horrific conditions because of what they suffered from.
“It was a place that you smell even before you see it,” described Hammond, who was also suddenly conflicted as he questioned the ethics of photographing subjects in vulnerable circumstances and had the right to decency and privacy.”
Resolving to use the image to document evidence of human rights abuse and make a difference to people with mental health conditions, Hammond’s work has since led him on a mission to end the abuse and change the perception of mental health as he chronicles stories of mental health, psychosocial, intellectual, and cognitive disabilities in 17 countries, including in refugee camps.
“It was important to amplify the voices of marginalised groups,” said Hammond, “as disabling environments such as poverty, war, and refugee camps and living in societies that shun and stigmatise, are exacerbating the mental health conditions of people everywhere.”
Often, he added, it was sheer desperation or the lack of a safety net that forced families to chain their loved ones. Narrating the story of a mother whose 12-year-old son had been tied to a tree for 10 years, Hammond said: “The choice before her was to let him free and spent hours in search of him each day and neglect her four kids or tie him up to be able to feed and look after all five.”
His collaborations with NGOs and other entities committed to the cause has enabled him to use his mental health stories to influence governments, inter-governmental organisations and corporations to put an end to shackling and support people with mental health conditions.
Today, 80 of the 88 people incarcerated at the South Sudan prison he first visited have been released.
So, has photography made a difference? “I will know only when I go back and find out. Until then, all I can do is live in hope,” reasoned Hammond.
