Tender Heart exhibition.

Tender heart is an NGO in the village of Bhatola, Faridabad, about two hours from Delhi.

I have been visiting and supporting Tender Heart since my first visit in 2012.

Tender Heart consists of a regular school from kindergarten to year 10, educating around 200 local children. There is a special needs unit which provides education and vocational training for children with special needs.

There is an ‘after-school’ school for children from underprivileged backgrounds where children receive basic training in maths English and Hindi. We call these children WOOPIE children which stands for the way out of poverty is education.

There is a women’s empowerment program We are local women receive training in various arts and crafts as Wellers occupational training to assist them in gaining employment.

This exhibition was held in September 2019 to raise funds to go to Tender Heart, especially to provide art materials, art activities and excursions for the children during my visit in 2019.

The exhibition was held at Gallery 371, Marrickville and the space was generously donated by Louise Beck. Bronwyn Rennex curated my exhibition and did an outstanding job.

I’m grateful to all who attended this exhibition and supported tender Heart.

Pottery lady. Faridabad, 2012. This woman was selling her pots on one of the main roads near Faridabad market. Her image seemed to emerge straight out of the pot. Although she doesn’t look it, she was quite happy for me to photograph her.

Grandmother’s friend. Faridabad, 2012. This Siam, IndiraHas lived in Faridabad bed for over 60 years and is part of a large extended community of family and friends. She’s very generous and lovely but will never let me smoke her hookah. 

Orange Rohet man. Rohet, Rajasthan. 2012. This man was sitting with a group of men in the small village of Rohet. The other men insisted I photographed him. He seemed to be a leader or at least somebody very important in the village.

From Tajpur. Tajpur, 2016. Tajpur is a small village about 200 km south of Delhi. We visited some friends, the family of Nihal who lives in Sydney. I met this woman who was making a cowpats. I think she is very elegant and beautiful. I love the way she is holding her saree. 

Rishikesh dancers. Rishikesh, 2014. These women were dancing and singing in the chilli Ganges River at 6 am. They were full of joy and encouraged me to join them which I did.

Rishikesh Blue. Rishikesh, 2014. This woman was walking along the edges of the Ganges River very early one morning. I liked her elegant stance and her beautiful blue colour. 

My camel man. Thar desert, Rajasthan. 2012. This colourful turban clad man was leading the camel that I was sitting on. I loved the desert. It has a silence and peace that touched me deeply. My camels man’s main words to me were ‘do you want me to take your photo’ and ‘are you having a good Safari’. I loved his colourful turban in the evening desert sun.

Not a red saree. That desert, Rajasthan. 2012. The name of my India blog is redsaree and I’ve yet to find the perfect one to photograph. This is not a red saree as Rajasthani women do not wear Sarees.

Munesh. Faridabad. 2012. Munesh is the mother of two of my friends Sheetal and Mudhu. She is quite shy. I have visited her house many times and she is always warm and welcoming to me. She is very proud of her daughters. I think she is beautiful and elegant.