photo: © Nick Brandt - The Cave, Jordan, 2024
Nick Brandt's new book The Echo of Our Voices is the fourth part of the photo series The Day May Break. Nick Brandt's global series portrays people and animals affected by climate change and environmental degradation.
The series was created in Jordan, one of the most water-scarce countries in the world. It portrays Syrian refugee families currently living in rural areas whose lives have been severely affected by the intense drought.
“Against the starkly beautiful yet unforgiving backdrop of the Wadi Rum desert, Brandt's carefully composed photographs elevate Syrian families and present them as human islands struggling with the injustices of war and environmental devastation.
With striking sculptural compositions of families placed on powerful symbolic pedestals, Brandt goes beyond mere documentation or portraiture to offer a profound commentary on resilience, the enduring human spirit, and the interconnectedness of global crises.
His work not only captures moments of profound intimacy and strength, but also highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change on the world’s most vulnerable populations.” ~ Cary Benbow, FStop Magazine
“In a world that so often dehumanizes Arabs, especially Arab women who fall victim to stereotypical images of oppressed, voiceless beings, Brandt has given these women a (literal) platform to reclaim their power.” ~ Alaa Elassar, CNN
“A groundbreaking photo series from visionary photographer Nick Brandt documents with skill and sensitivity a humanity on the brink of environmental disaster.
What makes the photo series The Day May Break so unforgettable is Brandt's refusal to rely on spectacle. Instead, he finds quiet strength in the dignity of his human and animal subjects, many of whom have experienced climate-related displacement or trauma yet maintain a quiet resilience.
The Day May Break is not just art; it is a powerful call for the world to wake up and confront what is happening to humanity and the planet. Through powerful images and accompanying stories, Brandt urges us to face a truth we often ignore: the fates of people, animals and the planet are inextricably linked.
Brandt's work resists easy optimism, but is not devoid of hope. There is tenderness in every image, an acknowledgment of our shared vulnerability and the possibility of compassion. In a world fractured by crisis, The Day May Break offers a rare kind of clarity—the kind that comes not from distance, but from standing close enough to see the humanity in every face, human or otherwise.” ~ Lee Sharrock, Forbes Magazine
The Echo of Our Voices, Chapter Four - Nick Brandt
Pages: 128
Price: € 63.39
Publisher: Skira · Language: English. This article refers to the English-language edition.
