KNOWN for his captivating photographs from different parts of the world telling stories of mankind’s struggles and triumphs, Czech photographer Jan Šibík currently showcases his unparalleled collection of photographs covering the last 10 years at the National Museum of the Philippines.
Since the beginning of Šibík’s career, he has been “on spot” where important things happen. Thus, in his exhibition, there will be 50 genuinely captured masterpieces from different parts of Europe, Asia and Africa mirroring the notable events of the past decade.
From calamities that shook the world to its knees, such as the devastation of Supertyphoon Yolanda (international codename: Haiyan) in the Philippines, the earthquake in Haiti, to the sights of refugees in Greece and Hungary, and the conflicts affecting thousands of people in Egypt and Ukraine, Šibík has achieved to deliver the faces of the world “without filters.”
Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Philippines Jaroslav Olša Jr. said, “In these complicated times of the world, it is important that we show unfiltered images of the events that had happened. As I know Šibík for a quarter of a century since we met in post-genocide Rwanda and traveled together also in conflict-ridden Liberia and Sierra Leone, he is the man that can make this possible through his utmost dedication to his craft and ideals.”
Šibík is the acclaimed World Press Photo awardee in 2004, twice winning the Czech Press Photo, as well as the Fuji Press Photographer recognitions. In his home country, the lensman is the laureate of the June 1 award presented by the City of Pilsen for the promotion of the ideas of democracy and defense of human rights.
For over 30 years, Šibík has witnessed and documented wars in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Chechnya, Liberia and the former Yugoslavia. He was also present as witness to many revolutions all over the world, having seen and memorized significant moments in history, such as the burial of former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
As a prized photographer, he was also able to take photos of controversial circumstances: the life in slums in Kenya and the illegal diamond mining and massacres in Sierra Leone. Šibík used the power of his lens not only to give focus to these stories of humanity but to also evoke emotions to its viewers.
To date, he has published four photographic books: For All the Tears in the World (1997), The Devil Inside Us (2001) and Stories (2006). The latest one covering the last decade of his work, which is the basis for the exhibition, is simply entitled Šibík (2017). Its cover highlights one of the photographs shot in Tacloban.
Apart from his artistic pursuit, Šibík has organized various humanitarian campaigns. Back in 2000, he advocated for handicapped children in his project, Lend a Helping Hand to the Children of Sierra Leone, and another campaign five years later where he began the initiative for AIDS victims in Odessa, Ukraine.
The Czech photographer personally opened the exhibit of his featured works on February 19, in partnership with the National Museum of the Philippines. It will be open to the public until April 22.
The National Museum is open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entrance to the exhibition is free. Visitors are enjoined to observe guidelines in viewing the galleries. For more information, visit the Facebook page of Czech Embassy Manila and the National Museum of the Philippines.