Gervasio Sánchez is intensity and passion. Will and determination. Non-conformity and rebellion. Emotion and heartbreak. Throughout his professional career, his work has reached a level where he fused all his instincts, offering us, without additives, a sweeping vision of human geography laminated by war, hate, desolation, and ultimately forgotten in its suffering.
In his extensive life journey, Gervasio Sánchez has successfully transcended the label of «war reporter» and pursued a three-fold professional goal. First and foremost, he has asserted his clear vocation, his sharp conviction as an independent photojournalist. Secondly, he has combined topical issues with the development of long-term photography projects that represent a distinctive strategic element of his work. And, finally, he has contributed to the deserved recognition of Spanish documentary photography as intrinsically valuable photographic works that occupies a fully justified place in traveling exhibitions and museum spaces.
In this regard, being granted the 2009 National Photography Award by the Spanish Ministry of Culture has been a source of great pride for Gervasio Sánchez, as, for the first time, this distinction recognized the efforts of a photojournalist. The panel of judges stressed «his contribution to photographic reportage, and how, through it, he dignifies the victims that he photographs thanks to a unique way of seeing that exalts the loftiest values of photojournalism.» Gervasio, aware of the diminishing value of news photography in the eyes of the media, wanted this recognition of the «photojournalistic profession» to be as widespread as possible to pay a heartfelt homage «to so many journalists that have died fulfilling their duty of reporting from different corners of the world.» Among the dead are good friends and dear colleagues whose loss constitutes some of the bitterest moments of his life.
This anthology, organized to celebrate the concession of the previously mentioned prize, represents a long passage through twenty-five years of relentless work in numerous war and post-war scenarios in Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa, places that reveal the harshness of our times and in which the victims of the barbarity languish unjustly forgotten.
Fragment of the preface written by his curator and photojournalist herself, Sandra Balsells for the monography : « Anthology, Gervasio Sánchez », published by Blume in 2012.
Gervasio Sánchez: Anthology
Until April 14, 2013
Centro Andaluz de la Fotografia
Calle Pintor Díaz Molina nº 9.
04002 Almería.
Spain
+34 – 950 186 360
From 11:00 to 14:00 h. and from 17:30 to 21:30 h. everyday
Free entrance
