Thomas James Parrish presents his photobook and photography exhibition 'Oh India' as a part of his
photography fundraising project.
In 2016 Thomas spent 6 months travelling across northern India on a documentary-travel project. During
his time in West Bengal, he had the fortune to visit Kaikala Chetana, a volunteer-run, community-based
education program for India's rural poor in the Haripal Block of the Hooghly District, 50km from Kolkata.
Founded in 1996 by local man Somnath, who turned his family home into the first centre for learning, the
program now works with over 800 children across 24 open-air locations in and around Kaikala village.
Recently, during the height of the Corona Virus pandemic - offering unique challenges of its own to the
vulnerable village - the Hooghly District was hit by cyclone 'Amphan', destroying houses, invaluable crops,
and agricultural resources upon which the village depends. In response to this devastating event, the
'Oh India' photobook - containing 50 images from places such as Kolkata, Darjeeling, Nubra Valley and
Leh, Ladakh, as well as Kaikala itself - has been created to raise money to ensure the continuation of the
education program, and to aid with the restoration of the Kaikala village.
The book will be launched alongside a photography exhibition of selected images at
Abstract Thoughts Gallery
in Darlinghurst, Sydney from Wednesday 16th November - Sunday 20th November.
Thomas James Parrish
Based in Sydney, Thomas is an Australian photojournalist and travel photographer driven by a passion
for exposing and championing environmental and humanitarian issues that exist in today's societies,
all over the world.
Thomas' work explores current social issues; combining his passion for creative storytelling with a desire
to inspire positive social change. Working closely with local NGOs, charities and communities, this work
has taken him across the world where he has founded projects and campaigns with refugees, environmental
agencies, religious groups, and education programs.
“With my work I try to emphasise our responsibility as humans to care for the world, and to express the
importance of compassion and identity through engaging storytelling. I hope I ensure a positive impact
for humanity and the natural world and that my photographs can act as an instrument for inspiration
and change.''
www.thomasjamesparrish.com
