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Guet N’dar, Senegal

Head On Photo Festival 2024
Michael Magee
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Michael Magee
This event has concluded
Dates: -
Location: The Muse, TAFE NSW Ultimo, Building C, TAFE NSW Ultimo - 695-731 Harris St Ultimo 2010
Entry Fee: Free
Exhibition Event:
Official Opening 22/11/2024 6:00 pm

Just across the bridge from the historic colonial centre of Saint Louis in Northern Senegal lies Guet N’dar, a vibrant fishing district on the Langue de Barbarie peninsula. As one of Senegal’s key industries, fishing is central to life here, with pirogue boats resting on the sheltered side of the peninsula, ready for action once ice is loaded and nets are prepared. Fishermen embark on trips lasting up to forty-eight hours, returning to negotiate prices and load their catch for transport to Dakar, four hours south.

Generations of families have thrived in this densely populated area, living closely with various animals in cramped conditions. However, their way of life faces significant challenges. Rising sea levels due to climate change threaten to inundate the peninsula, while gas fields offshore and exclusion zones compel fishermen to venture farther out to sea. Additionally, the presence of large factory trawlers has led to a drastic decline in local fish populations, jeopardising sustainability. Despite these uncertainties, the community’s resilience shines through, showcasing the joy and spirit of its people as they navigate a changing environment.

Michael Magee

Michael Magee was born in Montreal, Canada before moving to New Zealand at a young age. Photography has always been part of his life, along with the desire to seek out new places, people and experiences.

He lived and photographed extensively in Central America including Mayan ceremonies and Carnival in Colombia, before returning to Australia in 2009. He studied for several years at the Australian Centre for Photography while settling in Marrickville, where his work has been exhibited, published and received awards. He has also photographed the amazing WOMADelaide Festival since 2012.

As part of a street photography project in 2011, he started photographing the Newtown Jets Rugby League team and their supporters, culminating in the “Over the Line” exhibition, which featured as an associate show for the Head On Festival in 2013. Through the strength of this work, he became a permanent member of the Newtown Jets off-field team, continuing to photograph the Jets until 2020. He released a photobook for each season, documenting the highs and lows on and off the field for the Henson Park faithful.

He travelled to Cuba in November 2018 to work alongside Stephen Dupont and Jack Picone as part of their reportage workshop held in Havana, which resulted in the “Waiting for Change” series and photobook.

He recently returned home from Senegal, West Africa, to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in Queensland, where he now resides.

This event has concluded
Dates: -
Location: The Muse, TAFE NSW Ultimo, Building C, TAFE NSW Ultimo - 695-731 Harris St Ultimo 2010
Entry Fee: Free
Exhibition Event:
Official Opening 22/11/2024 6:00 pm
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Enthralling. Enchanting. Extraordinary. Discover exceptional photography for free around Sydney during the festival 8 Nov–1 Dec 2024

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Image detail: Andrea Agostini