Damaso Reyes Photography » Africa

The Persistence of Memory

Damaso — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 09:09:33 +0000

Re-education camp. Rwanda 1999

I can’t look back at the archives without looking at the work I did in Rwanda. I was twenty years old when I got my first international assignment thanks to my best friend Jimmie Briggs. More than ten years ago I went to Rwanda and came back a changed man, one dedicated to telling the stories few want to hear. Words can’t describe what it was like so pictures will have to do.

Lunch. Re-education camp. Rwanda 1999

The Original Man

Damaso — Mon, 23 May 2011 09:59:10 +0000

Rwanda, 1999

Ten thousand generations ago a man stood on the tallest hill he could find and looked out at the horizon.

He looked out over the savanna and saw the land that he had know all his life. He saw the land that his father and his father before that and his father before that had known as well. He looked over that land that he knew as intimately as he knew himself and slowly his gaze turned toward the horizon.

And the intelligence he had sparked into something new: curiosity. He saw that horizon and understood that beyond it lay that which he did not know. And he returned to his family and continued his life.

Sometime later be it days or months or years or generations; sometime later a man stood on that very same hill, looked over that very same savanna and his eyes too turned toward that horizon. And he also saw that which he did not know. And he hungered for it.

And he too went to his family but he talked to them of that which he did not know and he said in that first language “we must seek this out.”

And sometime later be it days or months or generations a man and his family set out for the horizon of that which they did not know. They did not know why except that they must. And so they became the first explorers and our ancestors.

Not because they were unafraid but because their fear did not limit their dreams of that which they did not know.

Staying Cool

Damaso — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:07:20 +0000

Musician, Dakar 2010

Postcard Project Strikes Again

Damaso — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:57:50 +0000

So I decided to make a postcard in honor of my recent trip to Senegal. The Postcard Project is my attempt to create tangible works of art in this digital age. Each series is limited to 100 pieces and has a personal message from me to you! All you need to do is send me your mailing address and a short time later you will get a Damaso original! Sorry, one per customer and you can’t specify which postcard you will receive (it would ruin the surprise). Supplies are limited, first come, first served. Enjoy!

A man stands in the door of no return on Gorée Island in Senegal where slaves left Africa bound for the Americas.

Dear Leader

Damaso — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:51:33 +0000

A North Korean attends the unveiling of the African Renaissance Monument in Dakar.

Standing in the Need of Prayer

Damaso — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:26:49 +0000

The Rev Herbert Daughtry Sr. takes a moment in Senegal

Liberation Theory

Damaso — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:03:38 +0000

A poster on Goree Island. During the slave trade this is the last place many Africans were held before being shipped to the Americas.

To see more please click on this link.

Signs of the Times

Damaso — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:00:50 +0000

Graffiti on Goree Island, Senegal.

Black is Very Beautiful

Damaso — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:58:11 +0000

Hostess Yaune Ndiaye. Dakar, April 2010

To see more please click on this link.

Never Forget

Damaso — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:57:50 +0000

A man stands in the door of no return on Gorée Island in Senegal where slaves left Africa bound for the Americas.

I just got back from Senegal where I spent three days documenting that nation’s celebrations of the new African Renaissance Monument as well as the 50th anniversary of independence. This week I will feature images from that trip. To see more please click on this link.

Back to Africa

Damaso — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 11:24:16 +0000

I’m heading to Senegal for a short trip! I will post photos as I make them so stay tuned. See you next week!

Death be not Proud

Damaso — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:45:35 +0000

School Daze

Damaso — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:03:19 +0000

To see more images from Tanzania please visit my website.

Sharing the Pain

Damaso — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:20:39 +0000