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Journey to Freedom

Freedom can sometimes be elusive, out of reach in the distance far, far away. Each step we make towards it though, offers closer access and opportunity for those who come after. Creating a pathway that leads to freedom ensures that the next generation has the proper foundation and can truly explore what it means to be free.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Lao Tzu

Originating in southern African cultures, Ubuntu embodies the concept of togetherness and oneness in existence. The image shows three figures following after two vehicles in the desert. Despite the haze of dust, the vans are polished. Trailing behind them are man, teenager, and child. The youngest boy follows the vehicles most closely, suggesting a growing investment in the tourism sector. The last man trails at a slight distance, organic clothing and bare feet in contrast with the shine of the heavy-duty vehicles. They drive further from him and the tradition he embodies, but an undeniable thread of connection ties the three generations of man to one another.  

Amir Leung-Tat, Journey to Freedom, 2018. Digital Photograph. ©Amir Leung-Tat. All rights reserved.

Amir Leung-Tat

@_prince_photo._

Amir Leung-Tat is a Boston based photography major at UMass Dartmouth. His talent and passion for the art is emphasized mostly in portraiture, capturing the spirit and essence of people. Using his Canon camera as a canvas, he explores the many perspectives and attributes of humanity as they engage in the lived experience.

Amir believes that a moment in time captured in an instant could potentially turn an ordinary event into an extraordinary outcome. Amir draws his inspiration from his mom, also a photographer, and artist such as Chi Modu, Josh Farias and renowned photographer Dorothea Lange. His work, like theirs offers a bold expression, wide palate, and glimpses of the human connection. His photos combine a retro style with contemporary sharpness and sometimes can illustrate a psychedelic edge. Mostly, his work aims to capture the undulating course of the human emotion expressed through the eyes and body language of each individual. He is also an avid car enthusiast and in his spare time enjoys photographing dynamic and high-powered vehicles as well.

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Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a exhibition of the photography of Amir Leung-Tat. An interpretation of the Nguni term which means "I am because we are" and associated African philosophy which promotes the interconnectedness of humanity, Leung-Tat's work represents a poignant exploration of the vast totality of the black experience through the eyes of an artist coming of age. Shot during his time in Keyna, as well as during the 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrations in Boston, MA, his work captures the enduring connections and similarities that override geographical differences. Despite the forced separation of Black bodies from their homeland, there is a vibrant energy and resolve to overcome obstacles and a singularity of spirit that remains connected across time and space.

Other work from Ubuntu