Highly Commended Head On Portrait Prize 2014
Happy to mention that my portrait of Lisa Joe was given a highly commended at the Head On Portrait Prize 2014. I met Lisa Joe at Lifeline, a refuge for women who have experienced domestic violence in Papua New Guinea. Lisa came here to escape an abusive and alcoholic husband. In the time that I spent with Lisa, it seemed her eyes told a story of fragility, of love towards her daughter and of pain, anger and sorrow. It's estimated that one in three women have been raped and that 80% have experienced domestic violence in PNG. This photo was taken while on assignment for Oxfam New Zealand who support the work of Lifeline. To view images from the series visit Papua New Guinea.
About Rodney
Rodney Dekker is a photographer and film maker predominantly covering environmental and social justice issues. His most significant project has been documenting the affects of climate change and its resulting hardship on livelihoods in Australia, Bangladesh, Tuvalu and Kiribati. His photos have appeared in many publications including The Toronto Star, The Jakarta Post, The Washington Times, ASIAN Geographic, Australian Geographic, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Weekend Australian Magazine, Outback, and West Weekend. Videos have been published by ABC online, Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Geographic and the Herald Sun. Dekker’s been a finalist of Head On Portrait Prize, Reportage, Moran Photographic Prize, UN Media Peace Awards, Australia's Top Photographers, International Photography Awards, Px3, received nominations for Prix Pictet and PDN’s 30 and was selected for the Eddie Adams Workshop USA. A number of Dekker’s photos are held in the National Library of Australia and in the state libraries of Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. He holds a Masters degree in Environmental Analysis and International Development and is a member of MAP Group.
