Changing the Face of Human Rights Photography Project

The visual arts have an incredible power to change perceptions and inspire people to act. BIHR is working with portrait photographer Nadia Bettega to show the 'human' face of human rights. The ‘Changing the Face of Human Rights’ photography project explores what human rights mean to the lives and stories of 60 people living in Britain today. With financial turmoil and a growing gap between rich and poor, increasing awareness of human rights is vital.

The project involved individuals and groups, including human rights activists, lawyers, public figures, artists, actors, women's groups, disabled people, Travellers and Gypsies, black and minority ethnic people and homeless people. Together with the photographer they developed portraits accompanied by a short narrative highlighting the different issues they or their group are facing and the relevance of human rights to these issues. This exhibition is helping participants define for themselves how they and their community are represented and the importance of human rights to their stories. This project forms part of BIHR's broader programme of work, changing the face of human rights.

View the photographs online.

The photos were recently displayed at HOST Gallery in London. Watch this short video to hear people's perceptions of the exhibition.

The photographs are being displayed again on 2-20 August at Free Word (accessible venue), 60 Farringdon Rd. The exhibition will be launched on Thursday 5 August 18.30 – 20.30. If you you would like to attend the launch, please send your details to events@bihr.org.uk.

Nadia Bettega

Nadia Bettega is a freelance photographer who has been involved in a number of educational photography projects. Bettega is also a founding member of With Eyes Open, a community partnership project encouraging marginalised groups to participate in telling their stories through photography.