Åke Ericson - Non Grata (SIGNED) - 2018

Fascinating work about the Roma communities in different countries, masterfully captured by the Swedish documentary photographer Åke Ericson in 67 beautifully printed black and white images in tri-tone.

This copy is nicely signed on the title page in black ink by the photographer.

Book condition: cloth-bound cover like new, dustjacket complete with only minor signs of handling, but no tears. Inside very clean, unmarked, no stains or creased pages.

Since 2009, Swedish photographer Åke Ericson has been documenting the everyday lives of Roma people across Europe. The resulting photographs create an honest portrait of a community 'Non Grata.' Latin for 'undesirable' or 'not welcome,' Ericson’s title suggests the discrimination many Roma face in daily life due to their last name or complexion.

The Romani people have long fascinated photographers, and countless series of work have been produced on the estimated 10-12 million Roma population of Europe. Ericson's project differs from many others in its scope, duration, and ambition. So far, Ericson has documented the lives and struggles of the Roma people in France, Serbia, Kosovo, Romania, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Spain, and Switzerland – twice the number of countries included in Josef Koudelka's landmark photographic essay on the Roma 50 years ago.

Non Grata journeys from settlements such as Lunix IX outside Kosice in Eastern Slovakia to areas of Spain where Romani children attend regular school and can climb the socio-economic ladder, and Romani culture is largely accepted by much of the population. Ericson attempts to show not only the reality of a displaced community but also the positivity and creativity which exists within.