News Releases

Intimate Portraits from War-Torn Countries on Exhibit at USM

June 22, 2007

“Portraits from the Edge of the World,” a photography exhibit by Charles Carpenter, is on display in USM’s Glickman Family Library in the 7th floor UNUM Great Reading Room and on the Library’s 5th floor.  The exhibit will be on display during Library hours (see: http://library.usm.maine.edu/about/hoursSummer2007.html) through Thursday, August 30.

Carpenter is a research fellow at Idexx Labs, Portland, is the president and founder of Historic Map Works, Westbrook, and president and founder of the International Childhood Enrichment Program based in Scarborough. He traveled to Haiti over 1993-2005, Afghanistan in 2002, Somalia in 2003, and Liberia in 2004 documenting residents of these countries immediately following wars and conflicts in each region. Using transparency film in medium format cameras, the images were then scanned to high-resolution digital files and printed using Epson’s Ultrachrome printers.  The resulting large-format images are compelling, haunting portraits of children and adults who have witnessed, and lived through, armed conflict.

From 5-7 p.m on Saturday, August 11, there will be an exhibition reception and auction in the Library’s University Events Room. Goods, services, and a selection of Carpenter’s photographs will be auctioned to benefit the International Childhood Enrichment Program (ICEP), an organization founded by Carpenter and based in Portland.  ICEP builds safe playgrounds for children in each of the countries Carpenter has photographed.  Currently, ICEP has constructed 10 playgrounds using local materials and labor.  For more information about ICEP, see www.icepkidsplay.org or contact Dalinda Carpenter, executive director of the International Childhood Enrichment Program, at dalindac@excite.com or 207-883-1980.

Carpenter is available for interviews at 207-510-7627 (o), 207-756-5215 (cell), or charles-carpenter@idexx.com.

Editor’s Note: Several of the photographs on exhibit can be seen at the following links, including an image of the photographer:

1. Charles Carpenter, http://www.usm.maine.edu/mcr/news/0607releases/cp1.tif
2. Frail Girl, Haiti, http://www.usm.maine.edu/mcr/news/0607releases/cp2.tif
3. Girl With Skin Disease, Afghanistan, http://www.usm.maine.edu/mcr/news/0607releases/cp3.tif
4. Albino Group, Liberia, http://www.usm.maine.edu/mcr/news/0607releases/cp4.tif
5. School Girl in Veil, Somalia, http://www.usm.maine.edu/mcr/news/0607releases/cp5.tif

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