Human: Paths of Desperate Hope

In today's episode, we welcome Prix Pictet Iranian photographer, Hoda Afshar, who immortalizes unexpeced local rituals on the island of Hormuz, in her vibrant series Speak the Wind. In her usual style, she gives insights on how she makes the invisible visible and her deep connection to her Iranian roots.     

In today’s episode, we are honored to welcome Prix Pictet photographer Vasantha Yogananthan, who gives insights on his series 'Mystery Street', captured in New Orleans. Amidst the looming threats of rising sea levels, he explores the innocence and spontaneity of the city's youth during summer break, set against the backdrop of past trauma and an uncertain future shaped by climate change.    

Named by the New York Times as one of the ‘cultural shapers of Africa’s cultural renaissance,’ Prix Pictet nominated photographer Omar Victor Diop examines the interplay between African and diasporic experiences through his photography, knitting together the past and present in bold, color-block images. In today's episode, we are honoured to welcome Senegalese photographer Omar Victor Diop who shares a glimpse into his photography production, his creative journey towards self-portraiture, and the homage he pays to Black protests across eras and countries by embodying historical figures.

In today’s episode, we discuss with acclaimed Canadian Prix Pictet shortlisted photographer Edward Burtynsky his journey into Anthropocene photography, traversing the globe in search of landscapes marred by human intervention. From the haunting Alberta Tar Sands to industrial landscapes worldwide, Burtynsky's work serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the climate crisis. Despite his efforts, global actions have fallen short of the targets outlined in the Paris Agreement, prompting Burtynsky to emphasize the urgency of the situation through his art. 

Silesian photographer and Prix pictet shortlisted artist Michal Luczak's latest series 'Extraction' explores the mining industry and the consequences of resource extraction on humans and its environment. In this episode, Luczak shares the story behind his black and white series featured in the Prix Pictet 'Human' exhibition, delving into the ethical dimension of mining in his native land, using art as a mean of social commentary.  

Mexican photographer Yael Martínez' work addresses fractured communities in his native country, creating images that often reflect the sense of emptiness, absence, pain and suffering of those afflicted by  organised crime.   In this episode, Martinez shares with us his deeply personal photographic journey and the impact of drug cartels on the indigenous communities.

Acclaimed for his thought provoking and intimate portraits that explore themes of identity, intimacy and the complexities of human relationships, Renaldi's latest body of work mixes portraits of men and landscapes in striking diptychs inspired by George Perkins Marsh coined term 'Nature's harmonies'. In this episode, Renaldi shares with us his photographic journey and how his series 'Disturbed Harmonies' came to live as he received the nomination for Prix Pictet's Human cycle.

For over 40 years, Ragnar Axelsson, shortlisted photographer for Human, has been photographing the remote Arctic regions, including Iceland, Siberia, and Greenland. His lens documents how climate change is profoundly altering the lives of Arctic people and their environment. The Arctic is experiencing rapid change—melting sea ice, receding glaciers, and the abandonment of Inuit hunting villages. Ancient traditions are disappearing. Ragnar's mission is to preserve this history through his photography. In our latest Prix Pictet episode, Ragnar Axelsson shares his unique perspective on the Arctic, its people, and their struggle against global warming. Join us as he gives voice to those living in the Arctic and highlights the need to address climate change. 

Our new podcast series on the theme human features shorlisted photographer Federico Ríos Escobar, who aims to shed light on the often overlooked stories from his own country, emphasising the importance of caring for others. His focus is on capturing the causes of migration and the challenges faced by immigrants as they navigate the treacherous Darién Gap. The Darién Gap, once an untouched rainforest, became a congested pathway for migrants on the border between Colombia and Panama. The photographer expresses a desire to give a human face to the immigrants, emphasising that they are risking everything for the bare necessities of life.

Italian photographer Yvonne de Rosa joins us in this episode to discuss her incredible series, ‘Inquisita’ - one of her images featured on the cover of our latest publication Collage. The rape trial endured by Baroque artist Artemisia Gentileschi in the 17th Century was the inspiration behind her series, which captures young inmates from a juvenile detention center.