Phil Borge's Photographic Projects.
Phil Borges is a social
documentary photographer and filmmaker. He was born in 1942. He studied
dentistry and became a successful orthodontist. After college he travelled and
explored exotic places. Then at the age of 45 he set off on a heroic mission, which
he has pursued to this day. in 1980, he abandoned his dentistry practice to
pursue his first love, photography. For the past 25 years His travel background
was surely an influence as he journeyed to Asia, Africa and South America.
Also, he has traveled to the farthest reaches of the globe to meet with
persecuted Tibetan monks engaged in nonviolent struggle and embattled tribes
people. Borge’s portraits have been the subject f over 80 museums and also
gallery exhibits worldwide and is included in numerous museum and private
collections. He also published a lot of winning books (Enduring Spirit, The
Gift, Women Empowered, Tibetan Portrait and Tibet Culture On The Edge) in four
languages. In 1998 he was presented the Photo Media Magazine "Photoperson of
the Year" award. In December 2003 Phil was honored with the Humanitarian
Award, receiving the Lucie at the 1st Annual International Photography Awards.
In 2005 he was named a Giraffe Hero for his humanitarian work. Phil teaches and
lectures internationally and is co-founder of Blue Earth Alliance, a 501c3 that
sponsors photographic projects focusing on endangered cultures and threatened
environments.
His images tap deeply into the
human spirit of his subjects. He documents his subjects and his tribulations with
dignity, indigenous and tribal cultures around the world. He endeavors to
create a heightened understanding of issues faced by people in the developing
world through his exhibits, books and multimedia projects. His subjects range
from Tibetans marginalized by the Chinese occupation of their homeland, to the
drought-stricken tribes people of East-Africa. Through all his works he strives
to promote cultural diversity.
Here are some of Phil Borge's
images that I really like the most.
The images below are all
about indigenous and tribal cultures around the world. His signatures
are style of black and white portraits with the subjects skin selectively toned
and his works has been called a balance of intense empathy and clean, clear
craft.
North America
Junelle, 17
Lewiston, Idaho
Junelle is a traditional and fancy
Powwow dancer. The powwow is like a giant family reunion; it’s very communal
and sacred in Nez Perce Tribe.
Philippines
Laya, 81
Banaue, Philippines
Laya is a powerful Monbaki (shaman)
in a mountain tribe called the Ifugao. He brings an offering to Tofong -- a
forest spirit, to treat ill person.
TIbet
Botok 76, Tsangpa 78
Settlement Camp #1, Ladakh, India
Botok and Tsangpa were classified
as wealthy by the Communist authorities in 1962. They were threatened with
imprisonment because they owned almost 1,000 sheep and goats.
Ecuador
Transito, 91
Cayambe, Ecuador
In her country, Transito is a
famous human rights symbol; she is the "Rosa Parks of Ecuador." After
the conquest by the Spanish, the indigenous people were all but stripped of
their culture and forced to serve as indentured servants in the hacienda
system.
Cambodia
This image 'Three Monks' is not
Black and White, This is Phil Borges' only published color photograph.
Chhop 33, Sour 60, Some 30
Angkor Wat (Temple),Cambodia
Tibetan monks; Chhop, Some, and Sour live in the
Preas Entap Pagoda which is very close to the abandoned temple of Ta Prohm in
Angkor Wat. After their morning meditation they frequently visit the temple
before the tourists begin arriving.
Why Phil Borge?
I chose Phil Borge because I really like his works; he is a great Photographer in the history;
he wants to preserve
the disappearing cultures of the world and he also wants to show the viewers the
different cultures of other countries, which I believe is really nice and
helpful. And this will inspire other photographers.
References:
Biography:
Images:
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