THIS MIRACLE

(Bahia State, Brasil. 2015 - 2017)

This Miracle is a personal exploration into the human landscape of Brazil’s Bahia State and reflects my evolving understanding of this evocative and poignant place. This work offers a private view of a complex people who struggle daily to survive but are sustained by family values and religious practices.

Mostly I traveled non-urban roads, and wandered through villages, where I was often met with the gifts of warmth, intimacy, and openness. But despite the joy I witnessed, I was equally drawn to an aura of sadness that I felt lurked just beneath the surface. I became aware of the lives of poor communities that suffer and yet are determined to surmount obstacles. These isolated men, women, and children struggle daily to survive, but remain defiant and fill themselves with a mix of rich and colourful cultures. This pervasive sense of a people who have been forgotten gave me a feeling of coming home.