Thanks, award-winning photographer David Turnley, for taking this photograph at the talk.

There’s less than two weeks left to see Uganda: A River Blue at AnastasiaPhoto. Stop by and pick up an exhibition catalogue for $10.

Thanks Karen for taking these pictures of the Uganda: A River Blue exhibiton opening.

This work was created in January and February 2009 when I spent 2 months in northern Uganda photographing for A River Blue, a school providing psychosocial counseling and intense vocational training in topics like tailoring, agriculture, and arts to vulnerable youth.

A beautiful A River Blue catalogue designed by Josh Gomby and printed by Booksmart Studio in an edition of 200 will be released at the opening reception. The catalogue will be available through donations of any amount and 100% of the proceeds go to A River Blue.

Additionally, Chandler Griffin, founder of A River Blue, and I will give an artist’s talk Tuesday, March 16th, from 6:30-8:30PM at AnastasiaPhoto.

AnastasiaPhoto is located at 166 Orchard Street, New York, New York.

Uganda: A River Blue

Reception: March 4, 6:30-8:30PM

Exhibition: February 5-March 31, 2010

AnastasiaPhoto is located at 166 Orchard Street, New York, New York.

From the press release:

“AnastasiaPhoto is pleased to present the first solo exhibition by photographer David Wright: A photographic collaboration with the NGO, A River Blue.

These luminous works were made over two months in northern Uganda where A River Blue is located. The photos depict a school that is funded by the charitable organization A River Blue in a formerly internally displaced persons camp, as well as images of the citizens and landscapes of the surrounding village of Alebtong. This series of photographs was recently selected as 1 of 3 winners in the 2009 Conscientious Portfolio Competition.”

Additionally:

A beautiful A River Blue catalogue designed by Josh Gomby and printed by Booksmart Studio in an edition of 250 will be released at the opening reception. It will be available for purchase through donation (any amount — your choice) and 100% of the proceeds go to A River Blue. Support A River Blue and take home a memorable piece of the exhibition. The picture below is of the booklet cover.

The opening reception and exhibition are open to the public. We encourage you to bring friends, family, and colleagues, and learn about A River Blue, northern Uganda, and AnastasiaPhoto.

Terri and I started exchanging emails and have since become good friends. She and her boyfriend now own a photograph from my Alebtong, Uganda series and I own her painting Stand Back Sibley. It’s a beautiful painting that I identify particularly well with; a man standing on top a mountain examining the wilderness that surrounds, thinking every and all thoughts that come in these moments.

See and purchase Terri’s work here.

Terri’s interpretation of Luggard, Alebtong, Uganda, 2009

Stand Back Sibley by Terri Saul

I’ve added a few photographs to my Alebtong, Uganda series after this discovery and you can view them here.

Betty, Alebtong, Uganda, 2009

“I tell my subjects that I am in control of the situation and act confident with my movements. I connect on a basic level and common interest, be it a book, a friend, a movie, etc. I often position my subjects in a specific place and tell them where to look. Sometimes we speak to one another and other times we’re quiet. There’s always the need to have subject and I to feel that the portrait is being given rather than taken. I believe that I’m a good listener, honest conversationalist, and strong observationalist. I find these important traits to make the photographs I make because when the subject believes we’re going to make a great photograph, we become closer to being able to do so.”

Read the rest of my interview with Joerg Colberg here.

George and I, A River Blue, Alebtong, Uganda, 2009

“Flak Photo is a daily photography website that celebrates the art & culture of photography online. Produced by Andy Adams, the site highlights new series work, book projects and gallery exhibitions from an international community of contributors.”

Put on a good cup of coffee and head over to Flak Photo.