ENTRY DESCRIPTION
City Soleil is a small commune in Haiti, amidst war between gangs. People who live in this densely populated area tremble with horror, hearing the sound of gunfire day after day. The UN left and the police stations crumbled into ruin. The gangs declared war and the people..they die in the midst of their relentless shoot-outs. The sound of gunfire had become a cruel melody in their ears. Last three years, a small voice in my heart grew louder and wilder: 'Can we talk about hope here?' That is when I heard the gentle whisper, a quiet but sweet melody. It was a melody that resonated through the impenetrable darkness—sound of children calling out for another day, that there will be a better tomorrow. For me, it was indeed a melody of hope.

AUTHOR
Urim Hong is a editorial photographer who searches for light in the isolated world. After majoring in the humanities as well as pedagogy, he taught children for a decade and, in that process, found himself called to photography. He majored in photography at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. He captures various stories of the world on camera, including Haiti's City soleil project. He was selected as Editorial Photographer of the year at the 2018 IPA, 2019 MIFA and PDNedu Awards, 2020 / 2022 IPA Editorial/Press winner.

back to gallery