Assemble With Care
Five years in the making, Assemble With Care, is an 87-piece collection of World Bicycle Relief photography by the organization's cofounder, Leah Missbach Day. The staggering body of work currently graces the walls of Frontier Gallery, Cafe & Cinema in Brunswick, Maine and features an impressive collection of caregivers, their courageous clients and dedicated World Bicycle Relief assemblers.
The invitation to exhibit was inspired by filmmaker Jacob Seigel-Boettner and his film, With My Own Two Wheels which features a WBR caregiver named Fred. Leah Missbach day was on-site September 9, 2011 to accompany a screening of With My Own Two Wheels and talk about her show, Assemble With Care.
"While assembling this body of work what struck me most was that the very first images I made in Zambia are still some of my favorites." Included in this group of early images is a vignette of six black & white square photos including a Caregiver named Charles, his client Beatrice and her family. "Beatrice was so sick and so beautiful." Says Missbach Day. "At that time in 2007 my eyes were fresh to everything Zambia. I'd just finished working for a year and a half in Sri Lanka where people were very open to photographers, however rarely gazed directly into the camera. My fly on the wall shooting style served me well in Sri Lanka. People continued about their business as I blended into the fabric of their day. Before traveling to Zambia I thought I'd shake things up and give myself an assignment; portraiture where the subject looks directly at the camera. To my surprise, Zambians stared right into the lens!"
Video: Event Recap Narrated by F.K. Day
Among the most recent images on display (and some of the artists self proclaimed strongest pieces) are seven eggplant toned photographs of students, walking, riding and clutching their school supplies. Photographer Emily Hoskins also contributed to this series. "Co-creation has proved the best path for me and storytelling." Says Missbach Day.
Assemble With Care can be viewed through November 5th at Frontier Gallery in Brunswick, Maine - just a stones throw from Bowdoin College.
Photographer Leah Missbach Day at the Assemble With Care exhibit at Frontier Gallery in Brunswick, Maine.
