Steph Plourde-Simard - This Family

September 22nd, 2008 | Scroll down for comments

Intro

Steph Plourde-Simard is a documentary and fine art photographer living in Boston, MA, USA. She began photography as a hobby 10 years ago, by documenting political demonstrations she participated in as a social justice activist, and later attended the New England School of Photography where she graduated with honors. She is now beginning her career as a professional photographer and among others, is working on a long-term project documenting her family’s small, natural farm in southern New Hampshire. Her work is typically influenced by the issue of survival, and seeks to address broader social/political issues through personal stories.

Series title: This Family/Esta Familia

Artist statement: In the hills outside of Antigua, Guatemala - an area known for extreme poverty, violence and gang rule - I came to know Ana, Julio, and their 5 young children. While documenting their home and family, I was humbled by their hospitality and warmed by their incredible spirit. As much of the Guatemalan population lives in varying levels of poverty, and many either wait or work for change, the lives and “everyday” stories of those surviving near-impossible situations are often invisible from view or thoughts, except to illustrate the occasional news bite or political campaign.

I am moved and heavily influenced by the act of survival and the various forms it takes, particularly in how it manifests in daily life, whether it is obviously visible or not. This series began as a question to myself of what survival looks like, and my hope is that it serves as a tribute to one family of many, and their unconditional spirit and love that get them through each day.

Steph Plourde-Simard
617-543-6217
www.stephplourdesimard.com

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The last gallery ran for two weeks while I was in Cambodia. I’m back and happy to get back on track with this excellent series from Steph Plourde-Simard.

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