Exhibition Project

A Light Inc. initiative supported by Wishful Smiles, Making Herstory and Barbedoun, “A Look At Sheroes” is a photographic exhibition aiming at raising awareness about acid attacks and changing the perception of acid attacks survivors. The event is paired with an arts sale which profits will be given to Chhanv foundation, a Delhi-based NGO working for the rehabilitation of acid attacks survivors.

The photo exhibition comprises eleven portraits of acid attack survivors from an original perspective. The aim of this exhibition is to make people see beyond the scars and feel an emotional connection to the subjects.

Most pictures have been shot with a medium telephoto lens at a very wide aperture. This technique leaves a razor-thin depth of field, keeping only selected elements out of the blur. The scars remain visible but are not a point of focus anymore. Using black and white removes any distraction from the eyes, smiles and other expressions that mirror the soul and heart of the subjects.

The work is the result of a close relation to the acid attacks survivors built through weeks. The photographer learnt Hindi almost single handed four months prior to his travel and took pictures only at the very end of his stay. This philosophy reflects on the visuals the humane connection which naturally emerged.

Download the PDF project document