Iris Della Roca by DraughtsmanPR

Iris Della Roca As the king is not humble, may the humble be king The Little Black Gallery, London 14th – 21st March 2015 Private view to take place on 13th March from 6.30 - 9pm "Art is a lie that enables us to uncover the truth" - Pablo Picasso

Le Top Model (2011) Isabelly, aged 13, favela de Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro ©IrisDellaRoca

International female collective World Wide Women, is delighted to present the work of Iris Della Roca with As the king is not humble, may the humble be king (“Puisque le roi n'est pas humble que l'humble soit roi”), taking place at The Little Black Gallery. Della Roca is one of thirty-four women belonging to World Wide Women, the creative collective established in 2012 to represent the free, indomitable spirit of women in today’s art world and to act as a platform to encourage, support, exhibit and sell the work of female photographers and artists. Comprising a selection of photographs from her ongoing six year, transatlantic series, this is to be Della Roca’s first major solo exhibition in London.

French photographer Iris Della Roca spent much of her childhood on her father’s sailing boat, travelling from continent to continent and nurturing a fascination for the landscapes, cultures and peoples of the world. In 2009 she travelled to Rio de Janeiro and spent the following six years living between her home, Paris, and what might be considered its polar opposite, the largest favela in South America. To move to the unpacified favela of Rocina in southern Rio, alone, was a bold move for a female photographer not yet thirty years old, however Della Roca was quickly adopted by a family and within six months spoke Portuguese fluently; she explains that “despite everything, you do not feel in danger. It's just like a small village, overlooking the sea.” Della Roca soon became involved with an NGO which provides Rocina’s disadvantaged children aged 6 to 15 an escape from the street after school, offering creative practices to break the boredom that can lead to substance abuse, crime and involvement with gangs. It was when playing with these children on the beach one day that Della Roca recognised the prejudice experienced by them, and later when her entire group arrived to a museum visit dressed up in their Sunday best that she realised how much they wished to reject the stereotypes that they face each day. It was here that As the king is not humble, may the humble be king (“Puisque le roi n'est pas humble que l'humble soit roi”) was born, as Della Roca asked these children: "How do you want people to see you?" The answers she faced, with sincerity and hope, were “kings, princesses, top models, movie stars and astronauts;” the same fantasies held by Parisian children, and children all over the world. The resulting photographic series gives a different perspective of these children who suffer judgement due to their social environment - in her sharp, striking portraits they regain individuality and pride, taking control of their conditions via the lens of the camera.

The boss at The Beach (2009) Pedro Henrique, aged 6, Favela of Vidigal, Rio de Janeiro ©IrisDellaRoca

Resembling fashion photography or fine art portraiture, these images are staged but, set in the children’s homes and according to their desired costumes and accessories, they are not caricatures but their own personalities exaggerated: their lives without boundaries. A poised young girl looks up at the tips of her fingers, her arms set in fifth position through eyes half-closed she is transported from her stale urban backdrop to become a ballerina on stage; another leans back in her makeshift throne, a jagged gold crown embedded in tresses of thick black hair, which weaves its way down to the dusty concrete of her roof terrace - her legs wrapped in sequins, she is a mermaid; a young boy stands strong, arms folded around the chains hanging from his neck he glares at the camera through black glasses, he is a superstar. “Children are full of hope, I had the impression that our work could change their world and open up other possibilities. This project is more than an artistic work; it is also a human story.” Della Roca explains that “the idea that I defend through my project is that everyone can decide what is going to be – what you show to others, people will judge you as.” These portraits crossed continents upon Della Roca’s return to Paris, with the children of an estate in Clichy-Sous-Bois who are similarly marginalised, their individuality overwhelmed by their social standing. These later works are often undiscernible from Della Roca’s work in Brazil: emotive, bright and full of pride, the vibrant dreams of these children – dancers, sailors, musicians – bring vivid life to their static urban surroundings. These are portraits of children as dictated by them, powerful, proud and full of promise, this is the true face of the favela as it would represent itself.

As the king is not humble, may the humble be king comprises 17 inkjet prints on Hahnemühle Fine Art Baryta sized 13x19cm, 60x90cm and 180x120cm in editions of eight, fifteen and five. All of the works on view are for sale, with prices provided upon request. About Iris Della Roca Iris Della Roca, 29, works and lives between France and Brazil. She grew up on her father’s boat, moving from place to place, giving her the joy of not being attached to any one country. Having studied History, Politics, Science and Art, she choose photography as her medium as it is connected to reality, permission and interaction with others. Iris desires to tell true stories, about people and their varying realities, seeking hope and poetry in everyone’s intimity.

About The Little Black Gallery The Little Black Gallery is London's boutique photography gallery specialising in contemporary photography from around the world. It was set up by Tamara Beckwith, Lindsey Carlos Clarke and Ghislain Pascal in November 2008. It is also home to the Bob Carlos Clarke Foundation and has a permanent room of work by the legendary photographer. Today the gallery is co-owned by Tamara Beckwith and Ghislain Pascal. Iris Della Roca: As the king is not humble, may the humble be king 14th â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 21th March 2015 With a private view on 13th March from 6.30 - 9pm The Little Black Gallery 13A Park Walk London SW10 0AJ t: 020 7349 9332 e: info@thelittleblackgallery.com w: www.thelittleblackgallery.com World Wide Women e: worldwidewomen@gmail.com w: www.worldwidewomencollective.com