In the remote Australian town of Wilcannia, the Aboriginal community, the Barkindji people live in the shadows. Stereotyped and condemned, the community endures. Weakened by generations of suffering, unemployment, and poverty, in conditions on par with that of many third world nations, the Barkindji people cling to the few remaining shreds of their cultural fabric and identity. A testament to their resilience and courage. The Barkindji community serves as a confronting example of the wrongs inflicted on the Australian Aboriginal peoples through colonization and its contemporary systemic manifestations of apathy, violence, alcohol and drug abuse.
David Maurice Smith is a Sydney-based documentary photographer from Canada. His work is informed by his previous 10-year career in social work supporting individuals in disadvantaged communities. It's this experience working with those on the fringe of society that has shaped a very intimate style of shooting and desire to explore personal stories. His belief in the power of effective visual storytelling has led him to embrace the mediums of audio and video to accompany his still imagery.
Living in the Shadows (2013)
