MIS[S]UNDERSTOOD
Michele Zousmer | Ireland, Ireland
Photographer: Michele Zousmer
Exhibit Title: MIS[S]UNDERSTOOD
Location: Ireland, Ireland
For ostracised populations across the globe, stereotyping has proven damaging, sometimes deadly. In MIS[S]UNDERSTOOD I uproot the entrenched biases against Irish Traveller girls and women. They are not just a culture but an art form that spoke to my curiosity. Exploited socially and politically, my project expresses dignity and humanity.
The Irish Travellers possess strong traditions and value family, community, and a deep love of God. They marry young and have many children. Education was never valued because of their nomadic lifestyle. It is a patriarchal society, and the women spend their days taking care of their many children and the home. Unemployment, domestic violence, and suicides are prevalent. Many women live in poverty and face hardships raising families in caravans without running water, electricity, and their traditions alive.
Family is everything to this community. Our new world is testing its valued traditions.
As a humanitarian photographer, I use my lens to illuminate the lives and stories of people and communities often overlooked. My work is driven by a deep commitment to truth, dignity, and the power of visual storytelling. I strive to capture moments of grace, beauty, resilience, vulnerability, and strength, offering a window into worlds that deserve to be seen and understood.
Through my photography, I aim to challenge perceptions, evoke empathy, and inspire action. Each image is a testament to the human spirit—an invitation to witness, reflect, and engage. Whether documenting the struggles of the marginalized or celebrating their triumphs, my work bridges lives and perspectives, fostering a deeper connection between us all.
@michelezousmerphoto
https://www.michelezousmer.com
michele@michelezousmer.com
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