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Faces
of Tomorrow Faces of Tomorrow is the culmination of a lifelong dream for Diana Bamett. A chef-tumed-photojoumalist, Bamett's mission is to bring to life the devastating and inspiring stories of children around the world who have been struck by need and disaster issues. Through the lens other camera, Bamett captures their stories, their voices, their hopes and dreams, and their collective message to all of humanity. A humanitarian and gifted photographer, Bamett has traveled the world in an attempt to capture images that will open the eyes of the public and the media to the plight of the children's future. While terror and devastation is often looming in the background of her photographs, she has a rare gift in that the faces of tomorrow portrayed in her photographs radiate hope, rather than sorrow. The Faces of Tomorrow project began in the Fall of 1999 when Ms. Bamett traveled to Turkey after the devastating earthquake that struck the Northwestern area. Like so many others, she was so saddened by what the Turkish officials called the "disaster of the century". Determined to make a difference and help in some way, she took her camera to document the situation through the eyes of the children. Upon her return Barnett's photographs became an educational platform and an inspiration for numerous fundraising organizations. For the next two years, Bamett traveled to Northern Brazil to document the lives of the many street children in need. She created a record of the varying levels of poverty and despair that exist throughout the country and shed a hopeful light on this forgotten segment of the population. The "Children of India" show presented by the Indo-American Arts Council is the first public display of Barnett's work. This exhibit documents the work of Barnett's most recent trip to India, following the earthquake of January 2001 which devastated the livesof thousands of citizens. In order to document the current earthquake relief situation, Barnett traveled through various villages in the earthquake area. Beginning in Vondh, the earthquake's epicenter, she visited schools, care centers and hospitals. Her travels continued on to Adhoi, Gamdau and then to Kunariya, the village of artisans. The marvel of Barnett's work is the optimism that shines through on the faces of the children, women and men of India, even in the wake of devastation, loss and unimaginable grief. Her photographs illustrate the inner strength of the Indian people, who smile and exude a sense of peace, tranquility and graciousness. Perhaps the most poignant moment of Barnett's experience occurred while in the Bhuj region of India. The photographer was taken back by a sign, written by locals, that read: WE ARE NOT VICTIMS BUT WARRIORS OF A NEW BEGINNING. This project is dedicated to the children and to the NGO's (non-governmental organizations) that are working to improve their lives. For they, too, are warriors of a new beginning. |
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