White Army

The portraits of the Nuer “White Army” were created in February, 2014, as I joined them in a major campaign on the strategically key oil port of Malakal, in an attempt to wrest power from the dominent Dinka ethnic group. The White Army is an organic collection of armed ethnic Nuer civilian militias, with no central command structure and driven a mythos of prophecy. Deposed Vice President Dr. Riek Machar summoned this in an attempt to seize power, and had effectively taken control of the oil rich regions of South Sudan by April of 2014. I have witnessed the humanity of the peoples of South Sudan, and have been deeply moved by it. The current events sadden me greatly and remind me of my inability to fully comprehend the complexity of these ancient social relationships, no matter how close I ever get. It’s easy for many to express compassion, empathy, outrage or even pity for the citizens of South Sudan. I will remain on the fringe, at times suddenly thrust into the middle of it, and do the best I can to capture some of that humanity visually. These portraits are printed life-sized and are part of an ongoing series of the people of South Sudan.