Iris Della Roca: As the king is not humble, let the humble be king

International female collective World Wide Women, is delighted to present the first major London solo show to come from young French photographer, Iris Della Roca.

Having spent much of her childhood on her father’s sailing boat, travelling from continent to continent, in 2009 Della Roca made the life-changing decision to move to the unpacified favela of Rocinha in southern Rio de Janeiro. Here the artist became involved with an NGO which provides Rocinha’s disadvantaged children an escape from the street after school. Della Roca soon recognised the stigma surrounding these children, based solely on appearance, and how they wished to be free of this. Turning her camera to the children, Della Roca asked: "How do you want people to see you?"

The answers she faced, with sincerity and hope, were “kings, princesses, top models, movie stars and astronauts;” the same fantasies held by children all over the world. The resulting photographic series gives a different perspective of the children of Rocinha; rather than seek sympathy, her sharp, striking portraits promote her subjects' individuality and pride, as they "take control of their conditions via the lens of the camera."

Providing children with their desired props and costumes, these images represent lives without boundaries. A poised young girl looks up at the tips of her fingers, her arms set in fifth position, a ballerina; another leans back in her makeshift throne, a jagged gold crown embedded in tresses of thick black hair, her legs wrapped in sequins, she is a mermaid; a young boy stands strong, arms folded, he glares at the camera through black glasses, he is a superstar.

Della Roca explains that “Children are full of hope, I had the impression that our work could change their world and open up other possibilities. This project is more than an artistic work; it is also a human story.”

This series crossed continents upon Della Roca’s return to Paris, with the children of an estate in Clichy-sous-Bois where once taught. Emotive, bright and full of promise, the vibrant dreams of these children bring life to their static urban surroundings; these are portraits of children dictated by them, the face of the favela as it would see itself.

As the king is not humble, may the humble be king comprises 17 inkjet prints on Hahnemühle Fine Art Baryta sized 13x19cm, 60x90cm and 180x120cm in editions of eight, fifteen and five. All of the works on view are for sale, with prices provided upon request.