A Short Walk in the Gambian Bush – a 930km African odyssey
In 2009, Jason Florio and Helen Jones made the first recorded circumnavigation of The Gambia, West Africa – 700miles (930km) – on foot.
Jason portraits of village chiefs (Alkalo’s) and elders, which he took whilst they were on the walk, went on to become an award-winning body of work - ‘Silafando’ a Mandinka word which translates as: ‘a gift to you on behalf of my journey‘ – which have garnered press reviews and awards (and still continues to,three years on-check out ‘Meet the Press & Awards 2012-13′), the work has been exhibited, acquired by museums and private collectors. Please check out ‘Previous Press-2009′ below for more information
Award-winning portraits of village chiefs (Alkalo’s) and elders © Jason Florio – taken whilst on ‘A Short Walk in the Gambian Bush – a 930km African odyssey’ 2009
Please visit his website for the whole series of images – floriophoto.com
2009 ‘A Short Walk in the Gambian Bush’ expedition team
L-R: Neil, (donkey#1), Samba, Momadou (on cart), Helen, (Jason) Florio, (p)Hadley (donkey#2), Janneh – Post 930km walk – Makasutu Culture Forest, The Gambia, West Africa
Previous Press 2009 + Awards, Exhibitions, Presentations…
‘A Short Walk in The Gambian Bush – a 930km African odyssey’ – The expedition partnered with the Eden Project, Cornwall, UK, to bring funds and awareness to their ‘Garden’s for Life’ global initiative.
http://www.edenproject.com/support-us/campaigns/gardens-for-life/
Press links:
The New Yorker (USA) – Monumental Portraits: ‘FotoWeek DC’ –
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/photobooth/2010/11/fotoweek-dc.html
The Independent on Sunday, Travel (UK) ‘You People Cannot Walk, You only Move in Cars’ http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/africa/you-people-cannot-walk-you-only-move-in-cars-1920897.html
Photo District News-PDN (USA) ‘Business Smarts – A little help from your friends’ http://www.pdnonline.com/pdnedu/Business-Smarts-A-L-679.shtml
Photo District News (USA) ‘Silafando’ https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=144140918937992&set=a.125839677434783.17123.122107261141358&type=3&theater
Travel Africa Magazine (UK) ‘One Foot at a Time’ http://www.travelafricamag.com/content/view/2798/47/
Adventure Travel Magazine(UK) ‘A Short Walk in The Gambia’ http://www.adventuretravelmagazine.co.uk/index.php/digital-issue
‘Your Experience’(Gambia Experience Travel Agents) Magazine ‘A Short Walk in The Gambian Bush’ http://www.senegal.co.uk/Resources/Shared/Docs/Experience/Experience-Magazine/Jan2011-Edition/Gambian-Bush.aspx
The Gambia Blog(Gambia Experience Travel Agents) ‘Jason Florio’s Portraits’https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=170275139657903&set=a.143448815673869.21427.122107261141358&type=3&theater
The Gambia Blog (Gambia Experience Travel Agents) ‘A Short Walk in The Gambian Bush’ http://www.thegambiablog.co.uk/2009/09/a-short-walk-in-the-gambian-bush/
African Lens (USA) ‘Pictures of the Day http://www.africanlens.com/stories/daily_photos/2010/10/11
Resource Magazine (USA), ‘Trekking Through The Gambia’http://resourcemagonline.com/blog/index.php?s=the+gambia
The Eden Project, Cornwall (UK) ‘Gardens for Life’ project http://www.edenproject.com/gardens-for-life/news/700Miles.php
‘Wings’ Inflight Magazine (Arik Airlines) https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=182466865105397&set=a.125839677434783.17123.122107261141358&type=3&theater
Amazing Stories(online) ‘A Short Walk in The Gambian Bush’ http://www.amazingtravelstories.com/travel_stories/a-short-walk-in-the-gambian-bush-930km-african-odyssey/
FlakPhoto(USA), ‘100 Photographers/100 Portraits’ FotoWeek, DC https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=168570143161736&set=a.143448815673869.21427.122107261141358&type=3&theater
FlakPhoto (USA) Collections http://flakphoto.com/profile/jason-florio
Elizabeth Avedon Blog https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=168566803162070&set=a.143448815673869.21427.122107261141358&type=3&theater
Stellazine / Stella Kramer(USA), ‘A Short Walk in The Gambian Bush’ Interview with co-expedition leader, Helen Jones https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=168565059828911&set=a.143448815673869.21427.122107261141358&type=3&theater
Multi-Media – Interviews:
BBC Radio 4 ‘Excess Baggage’ with John McCarthy ‘Walking in Mediera, Europe & Gambia’ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00x2ys9
BBC Radio Surrey with ‘Nick Wallace Morning Show’
Gambia TV & Radio, The Gambia – ‘Expedition Africa’ and ‘The Fatou Show’
B&H (NYC) ‘Real Exposures’ http://www.bhphotovideo.com/insights/blogs/photography/real-exposures-episode-3-jason-florio.html
Lectures
APA / NY Image makers Lecture Series, Apple Store, New York http://apany.com/event/apany-image-makers-lecture-series-2/
Foto Fusion – Palm Beach Photographic Centre http://www.fotofusion.org/pages/events/3-thrusday.html
B&H Lecture Series, New York http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/eventDetails.jsp/id/789
Jason Florio – Photography
Gallery Exhibitions:
2011 The Haggerty Museum – Milwaukee, USA
2011 The Hagedorn Foundation Gallery – Atlanta, USA
2011 Photography Museum of Art- Huai’an, China
2010 The Eden Project – Cornwall, UK
Awards:
One Life International Photography Competition 2011– ‘Silafando’ – Winner of People Category
The Lucie’s – IPA (International Photography Awards) 2010 – ‘Silafando – a gift to you on behalf of my journey’ – People-Fine Art Category
New York Photo Awards 2010 – Honorable Mention – ‘Silafando’
Museum collections:
Permanent collection of the Huai’an Museum of Art, China
Permanent collection of The Haggerty Museum, Milwaukee, USA