One man’s trash is another man’s art. That’s not normally how the saying goes, but in this case one man’s trash is another man’s living in a number of ways.
“Scavengers” is a photographic exhibition by British photographer Steve Pace who has a knack for getting himself into tricky situations. Since he has been based in Bangkok, his most famous works include his photographs taken during the Red Shirt turmoil where he captured moments of blood and gore. It was a dangerous time for photojournalists to put themselves out there, but Steve seems to like photographing dangerously.
For the current collection that is on display, he walked amongst trash at Shung Meanchey Municipal Waste Dump in Cambodia, also known as Smoky Mountain due to the noxious methane fumes emitted from the waste. The scavengers who live and work there endure long hours in horrendous conditions risking fatal injuries.
Steve documented the daily lives of these Cambodian slum dwellers living way below the poverty line. The rubbish pickers live in the surrounding slums and makeshift huts on private property surrounding the dump, succumbing to exorbitant rents by the landowners. Comprised of about 2,000 people including roughly 600 scavenger children, this small but growing population is perceived as less than human, and marginal to mainstream Cambodian economy and society. They not only live on the the property surrounding these garbage dumping grounds, but they actually make their meager living off of the mountains of disposed waste. It was a real eye opener to see images of kids picking at the piles of garbage and even eating from their spoils.
“Scavengers” is currently being held at Eat Me Restaurant & Gallery, a fairly high-end dining venue known to serve dishes like beef cheeks and a decadent flourless chocolate cake. The difference between the privileged diners and images of some of the world’s poorest of the poor hanging on the walls of the restaurant provides an undeniable dichotomy that’s sure to stir up interesting discourse during dinner.
Steve’s style is not only to capture the reality of love in these dire conditions, but also to render art within the photographs. His work explores the notion of survival in unspeakable conditions.
“Scavengers” will be on display to 31 August 2012. Eat Me Restaurant and Gallery is open to the public daily from 3pm to 1am. The restaurant/gallery is located next to Carmelite Monastery on Convent Road near Sala Daeng Sskytrain station. Restaurant inquiries can be made by phone on +66 2 238 0931 or by visiting www.eatmerestaurant.com.
