Phil Borges

Remarkable portraits of precarious cultures from Mexico to Indonesia and Tibet

American social documentary photographer and filmmaker Phil Borges (born 1942) has spent the past 25 years of his career dedicated to social justice and the preservation and awareness of different cultural heritages through his photography. His sensitive portraits of indigenous cultures, from Mexico to Ethiopia to Indonesia, are informed by his experiences living with the people he photographs, striving to understand and empathize with the challenges and joys they face on a daily basis. In muted tones, Borges’ subjects fill the square frame with a singularly commanding presence.
This volume presents pieces from Borges’ most famous series, such as Tibetan Portrait, an exploration of religious life in the face of the Tibetan occupation, and Enduring Spirit, a project created in association with Amnesty International on the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.