This Saturday afternoon, a newly formed group called Photographers for Yolanda is holding an exhibition cum auction to raise funds for the survivors of the super typhoon. All proceeds will go to a selection of charities that are covering the region.
Among the photographers who donated their their works are LA-based Pulitzer Prize winner Marissa Roth (who lived here in the 1980s and has a book called Burning Heart: A Portrait of the Philippines), HK-based Frenchie Philippe Lopez (whose striking image of a religious procession in Tolosa, Leyte, was selected by TIME as one of the 10 best images of 2013), homegrown Alex Baluyut (who initiated Art Relief, a 24/7 mobile kitchen at Villamor Air Base for Yolanda survivors), and Peter Driscoll, who organized the event.
There will be almost 100 images for sale. Hot tips: Marissa Roth has handprinted and signed her works, starting price of PHP8,000 bid (her prints of the same size sell up to USD900). Lopez’s iconic shot opens at PHP20,000 (24×40 inches, framed).
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‘Jesus in a Banyan Tree’ by Marissa Roth
Coconuts Manila talks to Driscoll about how Photographers for Yolanda came about.
How did you come up with the ‘Photographers for Yolanda’ fundraising exhibit?
Seeing all the devastation in the media I thought a group of photographers could turn things around so instead of just recording the damage and peoples lives turned upside down we could use our images to do some good. Some of the team are photojournalists providing images to the media so I thought it would be good as a collective to give something back. ‘The real power of the photographic image’.
And were you friendswith the photographers?
It started with a group of people I knew but then when I saw how people were relating to the cause we started reaching out further. I had just one guideline: that the photographer should be Filipino, a foreigner living here, or someone who has shot here on assignment before so that there was a genuine passion behind helping and a link to the country. Some of the bigger names, I had books by them and or just been in touch through online photography social media sites.
It was amazing to see how people responded to the requests: Marissa Roth, the Pulitzer prize winner who lived here for two years in the ’80s, has been very helpful. Rick Rocamora, even though he was on assignment, made time. Philippe Lopez answered back straight away, and although we had to clear some license issues with Agence France Presse, was 100% behind helping. But it wasn’t just about the big names, we tried to maintain a certain quality and as the group grew, a sample of every field, from studio to documentary and street
What’s your own connection to the Philippines?
I first came to the Philippines back in 1997 to work here as an engineer. I ended up meeting my lovely wife from Iloilo and then we have moved around Asia and back in Ireland before being based in Iloilo where I worked on the new international airport and now Manila.
So you’re not a photographer yourself?
Yes I am, but I do not work at it as a profession. The nature of photography has changed so much over the recent years that it is not so easy to rely on it as a soul income source, so better for me that I don’t have to rely on it that way. I am not controlled by deadlines or assignments, so I can work on my own projects and follow my instincts and stories. I have had several group and solo exhibitions here in Asia and back in Europe <www.peterodriscollphotography.com>.
What’s the price range of the works and what’s your fundraising goal?
We have tried to cater for all budgets: starting bids on some images are as low as PHP2,000 and move up to PHP15,000 for the more prestigious artists and large frame works which will be 24×40 inches. Other items include books by one of the best underwater photographers in the world, Michael Aw. All work has been kindly donated so we have nothing to lose and everything to gain, if you see what I mean.
Photographers for Yolanda, 1335 Mabini Space for Contemporary Art, 1335 A Mabini St, Ermita, Manila (+63 2 2548498; www.facebook.com/auctionyolanda). 14 Dec (5pm preview & 7pm auction).
