The Priest of Abuna Yemata - Limited Edition 2 of 15 Photograph

Christopher Roche was born in Quebec, Canada to Irish parents. He has since lived in Africa and several cities around Europe. Dividing his time between working as a filmmaker and a photographer he is now based in London. He has won many awards internationally and his photographs have been published in the national press, exhibited at Royal Geographical Society in London and at United Nations Office at Geneva. Christopher Roche's work follows in the tradition of social documentary photography epitomised by the likes of Salgado and Capa, in that he seeks to capture truthfully events as they unfold rather than set up scenes. However, he brings his own unique sensibility to his craft, creating both epic and intimate images that reflect his background in and passion for cinema. His photographs, often described as painterly, reveal his love for the mastery of light and composition exemplified by the great artists Rembrandt and Caravaggio. He is currently developing a photographic project 'Devotion' that explores men and women’s thirst for spiritual fulfillment around the world. Focusing on the common humanity, rather than the dogma, the project captures private moments of prayer and meditation alongside monumental scenes of thousands of pilgrims in dramatic landscapes. It is the photographer’s experience that many of the ancient devotional practices that have been central to the culture of these regions for hundreds if not thousands of years are now under threat from the forces of globalization, mass tourism, political oppression and even global warming. This photographic project hopes be a testament to the importance of these traditions. Christopher Roche has published two photographic books on this theme, ‘The Priests and Pilgrims of Ethiopia‘ and ‘Banaras, Holy City‘.