The Downtown Eastside (DTES) in Vancouver is well known for its crime, addiction, poverty, prostitution and homeless people. Having lived near this part of Vancouver, I wanted to get to know some of the residents individually. I saw an opportunity as a photographer to collaborate and have a greater insight into their daily lives. I wanted to capture a different side of Vancouver’s DTES residents.
My approach meant spending many weeks in freezing temperatures during a harsh winter. The street photography aspect allowed a certain freedom, giving a voice to the people I talked to and photographed, and a chance to see what an outsider would not - a more authentic side to their lives. My work came from a compassionate, necessary, and positive approach to the individuals in the community.
It was important to create relationships with people, and spend time with them so that they felt comfortable opening up about their personal lives. My interest stood firmly in treating the people I photographed without judgement, to oppose stereotypes, and to raise awareness of the east side dwellers.. When people view my photographs, I want them to see each individual as a reflection of themselves. Everybody wants to be understood. Nobody wants to have a mental illness or a drug addiction.
Often those that I met in the DTES were people who had fallen on hard times, but they were friendly and willing to participate in my project. Even the most threatening, insensitive people were willing to listen to what I had to say.. For most, if not all of the people I encountered, addiction played a major role in why they were there. The series is called Remember Me: Vancouver’s DTES.
Carly Clarke is a documentary photographer based in England. Her work has led her to explore issues such as homelessness and drug/alcohol addiction, and elder abuse and abandonment in India. She also produced a self-portrait series ‘ Reality Trauma’ about the effects of chemotherapy during a personal battle with cancer, exploring her identity and what it means to face the edge of life. As well as more recently documenting her younger brother who faced the same cancer, 8 years on. Her work has been published by the BBC, British Journal of Photography, POV Magazine, Portrait of Britain, Jornal Contacto, Metal Magazine as well as other online and print publications.