Capturing raw emotion, the livelihoods of his subjects, and the resilience of humanity often overlooked, photographer Azriel Bahadoor is exhibiting his compelling work and launched a book titled “Poor Man’s Living Room” at the Art Society in Federation Park.
The exhibition, which runs from from July 29th to August 2nd, offers a stark look into the reality of homelessness through still images, according to Mr. Bahadoor, who spent over 100 hours creating these pieces. He says the process offered introspection.
“But it was time worth spending, and I think where the real work was, is in the emotional work. So after every shoot when I got home, I had to process what I was taking in. It’s a lot of trauma, it’s a lot of reality, and it made me hyper aware of what I have, and the things that I should be grateful for.”
Mr. Bahadoor’s work and his perspective on other people’s lives have the potential to influence change. His hope is that the participants or their families get to experience the change.
“A couple of the individuals on this wall, I can’t confirm it entirely, but some aren’t with us anymore because of the condition that I met them in roughly two to three years ago. So if the Poor Man’s Living Room does bring some change, whether it be micro change, macro change, systemic change. There are some folks who would have dedicated their stories, their lives, and their faces to this, and I pray to God that if not them, maybe their friend, a family member, or someone gets to see the benefits.”
Mr. Bahadoor is challenging others to take on the path of change, regardless of how big or small it may be.
“For those who have the ability to bring change, systemic change, do it. For those who don’t and can bring change to their neighbour, do it. If you could bring change to your family, do it. Start where you are and start with what you have. Do it while you can do it and be content with that.”
He, however, says the key takeaway from the exhibition and the book shouldn’t be guilt or an urgency to action, but instead a shift in perspective.