A New Zealand born photographer who is the founder of Witness Change, a non-profit organisation which is dedicated to the advancement of human rights through his images and documentary.
In 2015, Robin was named by Foreign Policy as one of the “100 Leading Global Thinkers”. Robin has published three books:
- ‘Your Wounds Will Be Named Silence.’
- ‘Condemned,’ and
- ‘My Lagos’.
Hammond has covered a wide range of subject matter with the likes of mental illness crisis in developing nations, LGBTI communities living under oppressive regimes, and the experience of refugees building new lives in Europe. With these kinds of projects, he has been subject to a lot of criticism but he has learnt to ignore: ‘On one hand, it made me sad to hear that stuff. On the other, I think for many of us who move and work in circles that try very hard to be accepting of diversity, it’s really good to be reminded there are a big chunk of people who aren’t part of that world. We see this with things like Brexit and Trump. ‘A lot of us, including myself, are very rarely exposed to the other side. I think it’s a really good reminder to those of us in my bubble of the work that needs to be done.’
The following has been taken for an interview in 2014 and covers Hammonds position on Mental Health [https://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/adw_welcom/robin-hammond-human-rights-photographer/ accessed 28/12/19]
Sometimes it can be really hard and I feel completely powerless in my work. I see real human suffering and it’s very difficult to have to walk away. There are times I wish I could put down my camera and do more for the people I see. Sometimes we have to be fundamentally human before we are journalists. For example, mental health is up against institutions and powerful people. It’s really difficult to see mentally ill people in chains, shackled, locked away in prisons. And the vast majority I’ve photographed are still there.
I will continue to work on mental health issues and the next stage for me is to focus on those who are helping. They are very brave, courageous people with no resources and a tide of stigma. I want to go back and help them. It really upsets me that mental health is neglected. It affects one in four people in the world and there is so little done. I want to show here’s a problem and here are the people trying to help and I hope to do that early next year.
Life is not always fair but my hope is to see change and I have to try.
Bibliography
https://www.robinhammond.co.uk/category/features/
Michele Usher 