MAKOKO
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PrizeGold in Press/People/Personality
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PhotographerMauro De Bettio, Spain
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Website
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Instagram
Makoko, the world's largest floating slum with over 300 thousand residents, faces severe challenges like a lack of infrastructure and essential services. Situated in Lagos, Africa's largest economic hub, Makoko's stilt houses serve as both homes and the sewage system for the city's 20 million inhabitants. The community also grapples with poverty, limited education, and healthcare disparities, compounded by complex issues of land tenure and government recognition.
Born and raised in a little village in the Italian Alps, now based in Barcelona, Mauro already felt from young age the desire to tell. He discovered that the camera was the right tool for him, the eye through which he could speak to the world. An instrument that began to walk by his side towards a long journey of discovery.
“Although it is difficult to express, I think that the photograph represents my way of speaking and what I try to do through my language is to capture the sense of what I breathe and touch with my hands".
Awards 2nd prize in 'PEOPLE' category of IPOTY - International Photographer of the Year 2017
5 Honorable Mentions on 17th INTERNATIONAL CHROMATIC PHOTO AWARDS 2017
Jurors Picks LensCulture Portrait Awards 2018
2nd prize 2017 Tokyo International Foto Awards
Finalist American Photo Awards 2018
2nd Winner National Geographic Award (Italian) 2017
1st Category Winner FIIPA Award 2018
3rd place ND AWARDS 2017
1st category Winner Urbanphotoawards 2017
1st Winner National Geographic Award (Italian) 2018