MIS[S]UNDERSTOOD

For ostracised populations across the globe and throughout history, stereotyping has proven damaging, sometimes deadly. In my ongoing effort to dispel prejudice, I have dedicated my career to investigating marginalized groups and the ways they cope during challenging times. In MIS[S]UNDERSTOOD I uproot the entrenched biases against Irish Traveller girls and women. They are not just a culture but an art form that spoke to my curiosity. Exploited socially and politically, my project expresses dignity and humanity.

I have been visiting the Irish Traveller community in Ireland for 8 years, making friends and learning about this unique culture.. Recently, I spent several weeks interviewing women I had befriended during my many trips.

This is in their honor, with the utmost respect. The Irish Travellers are a remarkable group of people who possess strong traditions and value family, community, and a deep love of God. They marry young and have many children [10-15} . Education was never valued because of their nomadic lifestyle. It is a patriarchal society, and the women spend their days taking care of their many children and the home. Unemployment, domestic violence, and suicides are prevalent. Many women live in poverty and face hardships raising families in caravans without running water, electricity, or proper bathrooms. Young married women now prefer to stay in one place so their children can stay in school. They are also choosing to have smaller families due to the high cost of living. One of the biggest heartbreaks is seeing their sons/brothers moving to another country to work. Family is everything to this community. Our new world is testing its valued traditions.

They are mothers, grandmothers, wives, aunts, cousins, sisters, and close friends. These women captured my heart, and I love their style! With their words and my images, I show these ladies' tenacity, strength, and beauty.