Old age according to Ahlam Shibli

Grandparents and their carers at risk. A recognition from the hand of this Palestinian photographer.

‘This work is about the relationships that exist between migrant carers and their employers in Barcelona,’ Ahlam Shibli explained, in 2007, when talking about MACBA’s photographic commission. The project consisted of portraying a dependent group such as old people, capturing the relationships and bonds that they establish with people from other parts of the world who take care of them. A critique of the exploitative conditions to which they are often subjected and their invisibility, but also an acknowledgement of two groups that today are at risk.

Artwork: Dependence, 2007.

Imagen 1 del carrusel

Ahlam Shibli, sense títol (Dependence no. 4)

Ahlam Shibli, untitled (Dependence no. 4), Barcelona, Spain, 2007, gelatine silver print, 38 x 57.7 cm.
Ms Roser Saladrigues having her hair done at Perruqueria Bell Art. Carrer d'En Mònec, Barri de Sant Pere, Barcelona, .13.11.2007.
Courtesy of the artist, © Ahlam Shibli

Imagen 2 del carrusel

Ahlam Shibli, sense títol (Dependence no. 9)

Ahlam Shibli, untitled (Dependence no. 9), Barcelona, Spain, 2007, gelatine silver print, 38 x 57.7 cm.
Ms Manin Robles, from the Philippines, with her employers, Mr José Manuel Deó Ridruejo and Ms Carmen Valera, in their sitting room. Passeig de Sant Joan, Eixample, Barcelona, 23.7.2007.
Courtesy of the artist, © Ahlam Shibli

Imagen 3 del carrusel

Ahlam Shibli, untitled (Dependence no. 20), Barcelona, Spain, 2007, chromogenic print, 38 x 57.7 cm.
Ms Eugenia, from Argentina, sweeping the sitting room of her employers, Ms Pilar Morales Vila and Mr Oleguer Galí Figueras, also in the room. Carrer del Doctor Roux, Sarrià, Barcelona, 27.7.2007.
Courtesy of the artist, © Ahlam Shibli

Imagen 4 del carrusel

Ahlam Shibli, untitled (Dependence no. 21), Barcelona, Spain, 2007, chromogenic print, 38 x 57.7 cm.
Ms Manin Robles, from the Philippines, carrying white sheets used to cover the living room furniture before her employers, Ms Carmen Valera and Mr José Manuel Deó Ridruejo, leave for their summer holiday, while Mr José Manuel Deó Ridruejo plays chess. Passeig de Sant Joan, Eixample, Barcelona, 23.7.2007.
Courtesy of the artist, © Ahlam Shibli

Imagen 5 del carrusel

Ahlam Shibli, untitled (Dependence no. 23), Barcelona, Spain, 2007, gelatine silver print, 38 x 57.7 cm.
Ms Patricia Moutero Mediuc, from the Dominican Republic, combing the hair of her employer, Mr Enric Garcia Pus, while he is having his morning coffee and reading the newspaper. Carrer de Craywinckel, Vallcarca, Barcelona, 23.7.2007.
Courtesy of the artist, © Ahlam Shibli