In his landmark project entitled Before They Pass Away, Jimmy Nelson captures the lives and traditions of the last surviving tribes who have managed to preserve their traditional ways, art, and customs within our increasingly globalized world.
The British photographer’s epic portraits-shot with a large-plate field camera-present these dignified inheritors of noble and age-old traditions in a proud spirit and in all their glory-a breathtaking unique visual experience. This exquisitely photographed showcase for world tribal culture is not only a joy to look at, but also an important historical record with its intricate details and fine nuances. Set against the backdrop of some of the world’s most pristine landscapes, this book reveals the wide variety of human experiences and cultural expressions across the ages.
27 Tribes Featured: Kazakh / Himba / Huli / Asaro / Kalam / Chukchi / Maori / Mustang / Gauchos / Tsaatan/ Samburu / Rabari / Mursi / Ladakhi / Vanuatu / Tibetans / Huaorani / Drokpa / Dassanech / Banna / Karo / Hamar / Dani / Yali / Korowai / Nenets / Maasai.
Regions of the World Featured: Ethiopia / Indonesia + Papua New Guinea / Kenya + Tanzania / New Zealand / Mongolia / Sibera – Yamal / Nepal / China / Vanuatu / Argentina + Ecuador / Namibia / India / Sibera – Chukotka.
Jimmy Nelson was born in Sevenoaks, Kent, in 1967 and started working as a photographer in 1987. Having spent 10 years at a Jesuit boarding school in the North of England, he set off on his own to traverse the length of Tibet on foot. The journey lasted a year, and upon his return his unique visual diary-which featured revealing images of a previously inaccessible Tibet-was published to wide international acclaim. Soon after he was commissioned to cover a variety of culturally newsworthy themes, ranging from the Russian involvement in Afghanistan and the ongoing strife between India and Pakistan in Kashmir to the beginning of the war in former Yugoslavia. In early 1994 he and his Dutch wife produced Literary Portraits of China, a 30-month project that brought them to all the hidden corners of the newly opening People’s Republic. Upon its completion, the images were exhibited in the People’s Palace on Tiananmen Square, Beijing, followed by a worldwide tour. From 1997 onwards Nelson began to successfully undertake commercial advertising assignments for many of the world’s leading brands. At the same time he began accumulating images of remote and unique cultures photographed with a traditional 50-year-old plate camera. Many awards followed. When he started to successfully and internationally exhibit and sell these images, this created the subsequent momentum and enthusiasm for the initiation of Before they Pass Away.
Also available as a Collector’s Edition XXL (available in the U.S. & Canada September 2013): a limited-edition title of 500 copies beautifully presented in a luxurious large-format clamshell box (c. 18 x 24 inches). Each copy contains 3 signed and numbered photoprints and a custom-made transparent book holder. Pre-publication price until September 30, 2013: $7800. Afterwards $8500.
ISBN: 9783832797591 – 11 2/5 x 14 1/2 inches – 424 pages – hardcover with jacket –
400 photographs – $150
Publication date: October 2013 (U.S. & Canada)
Text in English, German, and French
More information: www.teneues.com
