Benin, Todjedi, Photographer Fabrice Monteiro.
We Feed The World, a photographic exhibition featuring the work of 50 of the world’s most renowned photographers, opens today Friday 12th October at the Bargehouse Gallery, Southbank. Comprising more than 300 images, the show captures the triumphs and tribulations of the smallholder farmers who produce 70% of the world’s food.
Huadquiña Co?operative, Peru by Niall O’Brien
Over three years, the photographers, including Martin Parr, Graciela Iturbide, Stefan Ruiz, Susan Meiselas, Rankin, Spencer Murphy and Niall O’Brien donated their time to document the lives of nearly 50 farming communities across six continents. The resulting exhibition aims to challenge the myth that we need industrial agriculture and quick-fix technologies to feed an ever-increasing population.
Through their inspirational images, the photographers throw a spotlight upon agro-ecology in action, alerting the viewer to the fact that smallholder farming offers solutions to many of the world’s problems – from climate change and soil fertility to public health & wellbeing.
The images and accompanying stories will be shown simultaneously in London and within all of participating farming communities, breaking the Guinness World Record for the number of related photographic exhibitions held at any one time.
Cheryl Newman, the exhibition’s curator and former Photography Director of the Telegraph Magazine, said:
“Photography is the language of our age and it has the ability to shift consciousness and effect change on a scale beyond any other form of communication. We Feed the World brings together an unprecedented number of world-renowned photographers, whose unique images will enlighten, inspire and motivate anyone who sees them. I hope people will leave the exhibition contemplating where their food comes from and the impact it has on the world around us.”
The Gaia Foundation is leading the project and campaign, alongside other farming groups, NGOs and ethical businesses, such as the Landworkers’ Alliance, La Via Campesina and Sustain.
A Good Food March from Parliament Square to the Bargehouse Gallery on 14 October will call for changes to UK agricultural policy ahead of World Food Day. Speeches at the Bargehouse Gallery will be delivered by food activists Anna Lappe and Jyoti Fernandez, and actor Jeremy Irons
“We Feed the World’s winning combination of beautiful images and powerful storytelling is a wake-up call. Our most urgent task is to support farming communities around the world practicing the kind of regenerative agriculture that can keep our planet, our climate and our communities healthy into the future.”
Jeremy Irons
Jyoti Fernandes, Chair of the Landworkers Alliance, said:
“As we leave the European Common Agricultural Policy, the UK agriculture bill will determine the future of our food system for the next 50 years or more. We want food systems that support farmers to produce healthy, affordable food for everyone, using methods that are kind to animals, the earth and support independent farmers. This is a critical time for the public to come together and make their support for good food and good farming clear to those negotiating our future”
The exhibition will be accompanied by a ten-day programme of talks, films and workshops by international activists in the food and farming movement, artists and leading campaign groups – the full itinerary is available here. We Feed the World is a bold and ambitious collaboration between the arts, environmental and business sectors, who have come together for the first time to share the inspiring stories of regenerative agriculture across the world.
The project has received backing from major ethical brands including Yeo Valley, Divine, Cafédirect and Natracare, and support from celebrity ambassadors including award-winning actor Jeremy Irons, food campaigner and TV presenter Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood and model Arizona Muse.
5 WAYS YOU TOO CAN SUPPORT SMALLHOLDER FARMERS
1. Shop local
2. Ask restaurants, retailers and cafes where your food is from
3. Support Fairtrade and sustainable farming
4. Visit the We Feed the World exhibition at the Bargehouse Gallery, London, 12-21 Oct 2018
5. Join the Good Food March from Westminster to the Bargehouse Gallery on 14 October
Bargehouse Gallery,
OXO Tower Wharf, Southbank
London, SE1 9PH
12 th -21 st October, 11am-6pm daily
Entry free. Tickets required for specific events:
eventbrite.com/o/the-gaia-foundation-
facebook.com/events
www.wefeedtheworld.org
