Documentary photographer to speak
Tariq Tarey’s acclaimed work is part of the permanent collection of the Columbus Museum of Art, and his latest collection of photos is on display at the Tuscarawas County Center for the Arts through the month of February.
The plight of refugees around the globe will be highlighted when Tariq Tarey of Columbus speaks at the Tuscarawas County Public Library on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. Tarey is a photographer and videographer who has documented the difficulties faced by refugees, notably in Bhutan, Nepal, Somalia and Greece. Tarey is a native Somali who found himself among the displaced. The program is free and open to the public.
Library event organizers Laura Hanna and Robyn Guedel said they learned about Tarey’s work through an exhibit at the Ohio History Center.
“Tarey was a refugee who ended up in Columbus, where there is a large concentration of people from those areas,” Hanna said. “During his own experience he began documenting what he saw and worked as a social advocate for others in similar situations.”
Hanna said she hopes the program will help to shed light on the local plight of Guatemalan natives, who are themselves refugees of various conflicts in that region.
“We hope people will identify with the humanity of the cultures, not as an abstract idea but as people who are right here among us,” Hanna said.
A Q-and-A period will follow the presentation.
Tarey will bring a slide show of his own work and speak about his experiences in each of the regions covered, all of which he has visited firsthand.
“He will be able to speak directly about the refugee experience: their cultural backgrounds, their history, their individual journey to get here and their experience once they have arrived,” Guedel said.
A show featuring Tarey’s photographic work has begun at the Tuscarawas County Center for the Arts in New Philadelphia. Jeannine Kennedy, center director, said the show was assembled with the help of Amanda Comstock, formerly of the area and now living in Columbus.
“Amanda met him there, and they worked together on this project,” Kennedy said. “I spoke with them recently, and we decided to put together a show of his work. They are very powerful, stark black-and-white images with a strong story to tell.”
Kennedy said Comstock wrote the texts accompanying each image including many quotes and something about each person.
“Every war brings refugees. This is a very powerful way to help understand that experience,” she said, adding that the show will debut with the images first hanging in New Philadelphia before traveling to Bowling Green and Otterbein universities.
The show, which opened with a reception on Thursday, Feb. 15, will hang at the center for the arts through the end of this month on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. The exhibit can be viewed at no cost.
According to Tarey’s website at www.tariqtarey.com, he is a documentary photographer who specializes in refugee affairs. His work has appeared at numerous exhibitions, and he has received several honors for his photographs. His documentary videos are available on YouTube by searching for his name. He continues to work with refugees in troubled areas of the globe as well as in Columbus.
Registration for the presentation at the Tuscarawas County Public Library is strongly advised by visiting the website at www.tusclibrary.org.
“We like to bring speakers to the library we think patrons will find interesting. Tarey should bring a lot to think about, and the images are sure to be powerful,” Hanna said.
The library is at 121 Fair Ave. NW, New Philadelphia.