An Asian assignment, with no filter

Daniel Berehulak is an award-winning Australian photographer whose first ever exhibition opened tonight at the Site 109 Gallery on New York’s Lower East Side.

Daniel first travelled to India in 2003 as a backpacker and a freelance photographer with Getty Images.  He’s just wrapped up 5 years on assignment in the region, where he and his lens have been on the frontline of some of history’s most incredible moments.

From the unique viewpoint of a photojournalist, Daniel’s images present both high and low moments from across the region, from the landmark elections in Afghanistan, to the floods that devastated Pakistan in 2010.

Daniel captured the festivities around the 2013 Kumbh Mela pilgrimage, where 100 million Hindus gathered to bathe in the waters of the Ganges.  For one particular image of this historical event, Daniel was recognised as 2014 Photographer of the Year (Freelance/Agency) by Pictures of the Year International.  But right alongside the stunning photos of these jubilant pilgrims, Daniel presents a decidedly different side of life in the country, capturing images of the child labour conditions in the deep mines of North East India.  A lady viewing the mine-related images next to me had closed her eyes and bowed her head in prayer, presumably for the safety of the kids in the pictures.  

The exhibition also features photos from Daniel’s most recent assignments with the New York Times, covering both child malnutrition in Afghanistan, and the recent historical elections in India.

I don’t know much about art, and I am a truly terrible photographer, but I do love travelling and learning about other countries and cultures.  I was so impressed with the way tonight's exhibition had been curated.  I think the photos in Daniel’s exhibition appealed to me because he didn’t shy away from presenting something unsettling.  I also think that by spotlighting just three countries in Asia, Daniel wants us to appreciate the diversity in the region and to understand the resilience of the people who live there.  With some black and white work, and many brightly-coloured (which pleased me), Daniel remains at a respectful distance from his subjects, but he still manages to deliver powerful social commentary.

The exhibition has been curated in such a way that there is a good mix of confronting imagery, right alongside more 'everyday' portraits.  I was grateful for the photos of kids just being kids, and even to see pictures of the Swat province in Pakistan, which I recognised as the one Malala Yousafzai grew up in.  To me, the whole exhibition felt like a warts-and-all travel guidebook, and I can totally get on board with that concept.

I was also really proud to realise that Daniel's exhibition was created by the Australian Consulate-General in New York.  Without their encouragement, Daniel might not have been inspired to share his amazing photos with such a huge audience.  Fortunately, Reportage by Getty Images was also behind the exhibition, supporting Daniel as one of their contributing artists.

Whether you're an art fan or not, you need to see Daniel's work.  His exhibition will be open to the public until 27 June so make sure you stop by.