In 2010, I started photographing the Irish Travellers who are an
ethnic group at a horse fair in Ireland. I returned to the fair the
following year to meet them again and to give them some photos I
had taken. They gained my trust and invited me to photograph their
families and other clans. I am intrigued by their nomadic lifestyle so I
decided to visit their caravans, halting sites and roadside
encampments. In March 2017, Irish Travellers group have been
formally recognized as an ethnic group. Today, they are still facing
racism, discrimination and hardship by society. Travellers are very
proud of their culture. I want to represent these people through my
photographs. My goal is to continue to work with these families as
well as other members that I encounter, and perhaps let the settled
people have more understanding of their unique culture.
Born in Boston, Joseph-Philippe started drawing and painting after he lost his hearing at the age of 3. He took up photography during his senior year at a private school in Massachusetts. In 1985, he enrolled at the Rochester Institute of Technology to study photography where he remained there for 2 yrs before changing direction in career due to financial circumstances, In 1990 he return to photography to study at the Art Institute of Boston. In May 2000, he moved to Ireland with his wife and 2 sons. 18 years later Joseph-Philippe started documenting Irish Travellers using a digital camera.
Awards
2020 - 15th Pollux Awards - Overall Winner
2020 - British Journal of Photography 'Portrait of Britain' shortlisted
2018 - International Photography Awards - 3rd place - Fine Art Portrait
2018 - PX3 Paris, Silver Award - Portrait/Culture
2018 - Photo Vogue Italia 'When Ethic meets Aesthetics' - Finalist
2018 - LensCulture Portrait Awards 2018 - Finalist
2017 - Clare County Council Art Act Grant, Ireland
2014 - Clare County Council Art Act Grant, Ireland
2008 - Art Disability Forum Grant Award, Belfast
1999 - Central Intelligence Agency Art Exhibit - Certificate of Appreciation
1999 – Central Intelligence Agency Art Exhibit – Certificate of Appreciation
1997 – American Society for Media Photographers – Gold & Bronze Awards
1996 – American Society for Media Photographers – Silver & Bronze Awards
1996 – Photographer’s Forum, 16th Annual Photography Contest – Honourable Mention
1994 – Art Institute of Boston Portfolio Competition – 1st Place
1994 – Photographer’s Forum, 14th Annual Photography Contest – Honourable Mention
1992 – Art Institute of Boston Portfolio Competition – 1st Place
1991 – Art Institute of Boston Portfolio Competition – 1st Place
1991 – Photographer’s Forum, 11th Annual Photography Contest – 4th Place
1990 – Architect Gallery Contemporary Competition – 1st & 2nd Place
1990 – Soho Art Competition #11 – Certificate of Appreciation
1985 – New England Camera Club Black & White Print Competition – 3rd Place
1984 – Brooks School – Visual Arts Award
1984 – Bradley Art Competition – Honourable Mention
