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The Price of Photography: Shawkan, 1000+ Days Behind Bars
The Price of Photography: Shawkan, 1000+ Days Behind Bars
On View: September 8 – 11, 2016
Bronx Documentary Center
614 Courtlandt Ave, Bronx, NY 10451
“Photography is not a hobby for me. It’s a way of life.” Mahmoud Abou Zeid, better known as “Shawkan”, an Egyptian photojournalist wrote from the infamous Tora prison. Shawkan has been imprisoned since August 14, 2013, when he was arrested while covering the dispersal of a protest of supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi, one of the most violent events in the country’s modern history. Shawkan, who was 25 at the time of his arrest, has now spent more than 1000 days behind bars.
The exhibition is curated by The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Mike Kamber, and Cynthia Rivera.
Spanish translations by Maria de la Paz Galindo.
This exhibition was made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; and the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.
Shawkan’s photos are a poignant reminder of the early optimism of the Egyptian revolution and the uprisings which swept the Arab world. From celebrations in Tahrir Square to revolutionary graffiti, the fact that his last photos feel dated is a visual testament to how long he’s been behind bars. Shawkan’s arrest is a marker of a dramatic change in Egypt, which has since transformed into one of the world’s worst jailers of journalists.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is showcasing the work of Shawkan in order to advocate for his swift release, and to highlight the plight of journalists and journalism in Egypt today. Shawkan is a recipient of CPJ’s 2016 International Press Freedom Award.