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India: Sebastiao Salgado

The sculptural quality of Salgado's photographs forces one to engage with the image. One of the best known photojournalists of our times, Salgado is sometimes a controversial figure. His images of poverty have a beauty and a grace that some people find disturbing. Perhaps that is the point. These are not icons of poverty that Salgado presents. It is his vision of human dignity. A personal vision.

As western economies change their economic models, their industries move overseas in search of cheaper labour. India's economy has rapidly adapted to meet this new 'opportunity'. Not far from Bangalore and Bollywood, men, women and children toil, to survive another day. A nuclear bomb means little for the 40% below the poverty line. The awesome spending power of India's middle class, means little for the farmer in Bihar. The modernised mines mean little for the people they displace. Salgado ensures that the excluded are not forgotten.

Shahidul Alam