The Quick Catch Up

Leila and I always promise that we won't leave too long between visits. Somehow we never quite manage it. She is my only friend who will talk photography endlessly without starting to go cross eyed. She always brings my attention to interesting new talents. I must admit that I was not familiar with the French artist/photographer JR. There is a really excellent piece on on him at Ted talks. You might like to have a look.

It's been such an exciting year for Leila and her family. Last year her young daughter won UK National Geographic photographer of the Year. This year she was awarded the International Award. Incredible and she is only eleven. She has such an extraordinary eye for colour and composition. I saw some of the images she took on her prize winning trip to India . She is so brave approaching strangers and the images of children her age are particularly special. They all look so bemused by her, so completely open and uninhibited. She has already been invited to do her work experience at the magazine. Which has been such a confidence booster.

Leila is a Persian Baha'i and recently collaborated with several artist to stage an exhibition highlighting the abuse of prisoners of conscience in Iran. In particular political activist Zhila who was imprisoned while heavily pregnant for her religious beliefs. She gave birth alone in the dark in a tiny cell. Her story shot straight to the heart. What an incredible brave and noble woman. Leila is currently working on a piece to be exhibited at The Conference for Justice in Iran. It's really quite an honour.

It was so good to have a quick catch up with her today.