‘Lion Base’: A Story of 20 Youths Who Overcame the Streets of Freetown, Sierra Leone Through Creative Expression
07/31/2013
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Lion Base is a photographic journey through the struggles of 20 youths living in a gutter in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Separating themselves from rampant violence and crime in their slum, the boys emerge as a united group of blossoming creative minds, a collective called *FOLORUNSHO.
Mallence Bart-Williams visited Sierra Leone and explored her roots there throughout her childhood. She eventually moved to Freetown, where she befriended the Lion Base crew “despite everyone warning her about those boys.” Deeply inspired by their passion and will, Bart-Williams began documenting them in 2008, “photographing their transformation into men and artisans, and the process of their unique creations.”
Duggal was a proud sponsor of the Lion Base book launch (VIDEO HERE) and exhibition at the Powerhouse Arena bookstore in DUMBO, Brooklyn. The event featured images from the book and items made by the Lion Base crew, as well as a Q&A session. It was an uplifting evening in which hundreds of guests witnessed the power of creative aspirations and the ability of passion to overcome challenge.