In 2017, I travelled to South Africa where I met Marilyn Bassin who
founded the NGO Boikanyo The Dion Herson Foundation to provide
assistance to shack and hostel dwellers who live in abject poverty in
an area of Soweto, Johannesburg.
Impressed by her work, I asked Marilyn if I could join her or a few
days.
In Soweto, non white people were discriminated against for decades
in Apartheid. Nelson Mandela eventaully negotiated a settlement for
black people to be allowed to have equal rights.
The foundation works with children growing up in
child/grandmother/sick mother headed households. Children are so
focused on survival, that education has taken second place. Crime,
violence, teenage pregnancy, drugs, absence of father role models,
death, poverty, starvation, drugs, alcohol, AIDS, absence parents.
This photograph testifies to the joys and pleasures of these people
who live in intolerable conditions. Amongs all the drama there is still
hope.
Myriam Tangi is Born, lives and works in Paris - Painting – Photography – Poetry
Diploma in Drawing at Ecole des Beaux Arts Paris
The general title in painting : “From Body to Sign”.
Artworks displayed in France and abroad, notably in Rome and Montreal, and are part of private collections in France, Italy, Israel, Montreal, and New York.
PHOTOGRAPHY : Travels in Yemen – India – USA - URSS
“Mehitza. Seen by Women”, photographic essay explores the distance and the separation between men and women in Jewish tradition, have been exhibited at the MAHJ Paris, and published
Awards Prizes and awards in painting : The Foundation Vocation Award, Bronze Medal awarded by the Town of Paris, The Charles Oulmont and Taylor Foundations Awards. A fellowship from the Renée and Léon Baumann foundation, and WIZO’s first prize.
Three poetry books published. The first one awarded by L’Académie française
Series in photography : « The Last Jews of Yemen » and « Urban intimacy at Paris plage » : Honorable mention at IPA - « Migrants/Refugees – Isle of Dreams » : Finalist at SIPA and Honorable mention at IPA – « Soweto. Life here like elswhere » Honorable Mention at PX3.
Book « Mehitza. Seen by Women » : Honorable mention at IPA.
Prizes and awards in painting : The Foundation Vocation Award, Bronze Medal awarded by the Town of Paris, The Charles Oulmont and Taylor Foundations Awards. A fellowship from the Renée and Léon Baumann foundation, and WIZO’s first prize.
Three poetry books published. The first one awarded by L’Académie française, Paris
Series in photography : « The Last Jews of Yemen »
« Urban intimacy at Paris plage » : Honorable mention at IPA -
« Migrants/Refugees – Isle of Dreams » : Finalist at SIPA and Honorable mention at IPA –
« Soweto. Life here like elswhere » Honorable Mention at PX3.
Book « Mehitza. Seen by Women » : Honorable mention at IPA.
