From Congo with Love

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About From Congo with Love

Famous for his portraits of Kylie Minogue, Kate Moss and the Queen, portrait photographer Rankin presents images from his visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo with Oxfam.

The crisis in Democratic Republic of Congo is often known as the ‘forgotten conflict,’ yet it is a war that has killed over 5 million people. Yet this crisis is not about numbers.

We're calling on you to Share the Love and become part of one big caring community that is passionate about helping the people of the DRC and stopping the conflict. Please upload your profile picture to this Flickr group. We will add your face to a virtual petition which will be handed to world leaders later this year.

Rankin's images focus on the love and solidarity found in the midst of one of the world’s worst conflict zones. There are images and stories exploring romantic love, love lost, mother's love and the kindness of strangers, as well as photos taken by Congolese villagers with Rankin's guidance, providing an extraordinary insight into their everyday life.

As Rankin explains: "My style of portraiture is about bringing people out of themselves, getting them to share something. I chose to photograph the people against a white background instead of in their physical environment. The expressions in their eyes and on their faces – their humanity – was what I wanted people to notice and relate to.

"This collection focuses on the relationships that bind people to each other - the connections that make us human. I hope that these photographs can aid understanding. They are neither ugly images of brutality, nor sentimental images of suffering. The world needs imagery that, instead of encouraging pity and powerlessness, promotes understanding, connection, and ultimately action."

Show how much you care about the plight of ordinary men, women and children in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Add a picture of yourself and join a growing movement of people who want to see an end to the conflict in the DR Congo.

Don't forget to tag your photo with "from congo with love"!