CONGO, A SUBLIME STRUGGLE - MONOGRAPH by FINBARR O’REILLY
June 17, 2022
The Fondation Carmignac and Reliefs Editions present 'Congo, a Sublime Struggle', the monograph by Finbarr O’Reilly., laureate of the 11th Carmignac Photojournalism Award dedicated to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
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The 11th Carmignac Photojournalism Award — which focuses on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) — was awarded to British-Canadian photographer Finbarr O’Reilly. His reportage started in January 2020, before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Due to the swiftly worsening global health situation and the gradual closing of international borders, Finbarr O’Reilly and the Award team—in close collaboration with the jury of the 11th edition— reframed their approach and launched ‘Congo in Conversation’, a collaborative reportage produced in conjunction with Congolese photographers and journalists, which was published in a monograph and exhibited internationally.
As the borders reopened, O’Reilly resumed his reportage in the DRC. The Fondation Carmignac is honored to present his work in a new monograph ‘Congo, A Sublime Struggle’, titled after a quote from Patrice Lumumba’s independence speech.
The book examines the central themes of security and human rights in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo while exploring links to the environment and climate crisis, the country’s colonial history, and how ongoing exploitation by extractive industries affects the lives of the Congolese.
A partnership with the International Criminal Court (ICC)
The book includes a photo report made in partnership with the International Criminal Court (ICC) for their series ‘Life after Conflict’, showing how the Congolese population deals with reparation and the aftermath of war crimes in the short and the long term.
While ‘Congo in Conversation’ highlighted Congolese photographers and perspectives, ‘Congo, A Sublime Struggle’ offers an outsider’s view, but one that seeks to understand its own complicity in the current state of transition and reinvention.
QUOTES FROM THE AUTHORS
''There is that sharp, critical end that there's something voyeuristic about the work of journalists and photographers. My simple answer is whether we choose to look at it or not, the existence of suffering remains. So if you're looking for a way to effectively advocate an end to conflict, your pictures help in that process as well. But also, it's a powerful and emotional way in which to connect. And sometimes the written word doesn't do that''
Dr Comfort Ero, International Crisis Group’s President & CEO
''The International Criminal Court promotes a more peaceful, just world by promoting access to justice, demanding accountability, and helping to deter crimes, which threaten the peace, security and wellbeing of the world.
This collection of photographs is a part of that work. Listening, learning and engaging with victims and other survivors is the first step to access to justice. Sharing these stories helps raise awareness of the crimes, bringing them into focus, to foster global support for ICC work on accountability and deterrence.''
Juge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua, International Criminal Court
MONOGRAPH "CONGO, A SUBLIME STRUGGLE"
Co-published by: Reliefs / Fondation Carmignac
Release date: June 17, 2022
Bilingual: French/English
Size: 24 × 28 cm, 128 pages
Texts : Finbarr O’Reilly, Comfort Ero and Judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua
Photographs : Finbarr O’Reilly
Price: 35 euros, 45 USD, 58 CAD, 35 GBP
Distributed by: Harmonia Mundi