I have been
photographing professionally since 1985, working as a
freelance photojournalist documenting social issues around
the world and endeavouring to make social change through the
medium of photography and the written word.
When I lived in California I was the
first photojournalist to respond to the United States
Invasion of Panama and document the devastation inflicted on
the people of Chorillo. The exhibition of that work was shown
in the Ansel Adams Gallery in Carmel and the
Photographer’s Gallery in Dublin.
Whilst in San Francisco I documented
the AIDS pandemic that was
decimating the lives of so many young men. Twenty one years
later I have just returned from Lesotho, a small country in southern
Africa where it is estimated that over 50% of the population
are HIV positive. In Angola, Romania, Pakistan and Lesotho I am left with
the abiding memory of children who have no parents: children
who live on the street, children in hospitals and orphanages,
children who are caring for their younger siblings: children
who don’t have an advocate.
The role of the Documentary
Photographer is that of a witness; my job is to photograph an
issue, analyse the facts and inform as many people as
possible so that they can make a difference through personal
or collective action. Photography is a powerful political
tool that enables people to bring to the attention of the
public issues that are not being sufficiently covered in the
media.
In Ireland I am involved in working
with community groups and
individuals to teach them the skills
of photography. The skills bring personal confidence and
more importantly, a recognition that documenting traditions
and culture is vital to understanding who we are.
I believe that my photography is 90%
communication and 10% pressing the shutter. Because I have a
passion for this art form, and because I love to teach and
encourage others to enjoy this important medium, I am
committed to passing on the skills and helping others to
leave an important archive of their own lives, and the
communities in which they live, wherever in the world that
might be.
‘Breaking the Barriers – Living with Disability
in Lesotho’ is my most recent photographic exhibition
and public lecture tour. The exhibition was first launched in
Lesotho on International Disabilities Day, December 1st 2007
by Queen Seeiso and is still touring Lesotho; it is supported
by Irish Aid and the NGO Twinning the Kingdoms. The
exhibition was launched in Ireland at University College Cork
in 2009 by Brian Crowley MEP and in Mary Immaculate College
by Minister of State Peter Power. The exhibition is touring
universities and colleges in Ireland to highlight the issues
for people with disabilities in Lesotho and to encourage
students and staff to make links in Lesotho and volunteer
their time on Twinning the Kingdom’s community based
projects.
Eileen O’Leary
