Former Sun photographer showing work for fundraiser

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This article was published 09/05/2018 (2862 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Prolific photographer Wendell Phillips has a career that has spanned 35 years and has taken him to more than 70 countries.

His work documents the diversity of the human condition, ranging from war zones in Nicaragua and landmine clearing in Cambodia, to covering the Olympic Games and World Cup Surfing in Hawaii.

Vancouver-based Phillips is in Brandon this week, where he will present his captivating images in a 90-minute “Global Impressions” event. The presentation takes place Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Evans Theatre. Tickets are $15 and all proceeds will go to The Marquis Project in Brandon.

Phillips has made it a priority to give back, and has offered charitable shows over the past three decades. In that time, he has raised more than $130,000 for many different organizations, such as women’s shelters, food banks and anti-bullying campaigns.

“When I started spending time in places like Bangladesh and impoverished communities … I couldn’t help but try to, from a personal perspective, be thinking about my obligation, responsibility to vulnerable people,” he said. “What could I do? So I started doing public charitable shows … The tenets of my altruism really were harvested over many years by examining my position as a citizen of the world.”

Phillips’ career in journalism began in Brandon. His passion for newspaper photography started when he was a student at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School. After graduation, he got his start in news, working as a photographer at the now-defunct CKX TV. He later worked part-time as a photographer with The Brandon Sun. That opened the door for him to become a staff photographer at the Kamloops Daily News, then the Winnipeg Free Press.

“Throughout those years I developed international contacts, which made it possible to start a different course in my life, working in global community,” he said.

What drew him to photography was his curiosity about the world.

“I was interested in theology and ideology and so I couldn’t get enough of that — and watching the human behaviour but also documenting it,” he said.

Thursday’s event will be a compilation of Wendell’s work over the last 35 years. From North American street photography to overseas contract work in Africa, South America, Middle East and Asia, it is a wide range.

“It’s really manifestations of the human condition, in all kinds of circumstances,” he said.

The presentation will include the fusion of art and photojournalism, he said, featuring editorial stories and light-hearted moments of daily life.

Phillips has been the recipient of many awards over the years, including the International Understanding through Photography Award by The Photographic Society of America. His images have been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, BBC World News, Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, South China Morning Post and The Atlantic.

For tickets to “Global Impressions,” visit marquisproject.com.

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