***Received a GOLD in ‘Photographer of the Year’ section and a GOLD in the ‘Book, People’ section of the OneEyeLand Awards 2016*** Just as the ‘black continent’ is nothing like as monochrome as our stereotyped ideas of it, so neither are the skin tones of its inhabitants. One variant, however, here more than elsewhere, marks people out as misfits: very white skin, unusually light hair colour, blue or green eyes. This congenital metabolic disease is called albinism. People with albinism (PWA) often are visually impaired and need special protection from the sun. Most of all they suffer from social stigmatisation. So it is little short of a miracle how courageously and confidently the PWA of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, try to overcome their role as outsiders. Lead by the famous Congolese albino wrestler, Mwimba Texas, they demand to be treated with respect.
In her photographs Patricia Willocq helps boost the self-assurance of people with albinism in the Congo. Her photo report is a testimony to hope, courage, love and success to give them the dignity they deserve. Text in English, French and German. AUTHOR: Patricia Willocq was born in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in 1980 and attended grammar school there. She took her Master’s degree at the Higher Institute of Translators and Interpreters in Belgium. Her talents for languages stood her in good stead on her travels on nearly all continents, during which she began, at first casually, then ever more intensely, to take photographs, until she published her work for the first time in 2005. Light-skinned people touched her even when she was a girl and she remained true to them as a photographer. SELLING POINTS: . Superb photography, engaging pictures - so much can be achieved by the commitment of courageous individuals . Patricia Willocq’s photo report on albinism received an honourable mention at the UNICEF Photo of the Year competition and has been widely shown in various media across the world . This book is a testimony to hope, courage, love and success 120 colour
