Jimmy Nelson
Overview
Jimmy Nelson (UK, 1967) started working as a photographer in 1987. In 2010 he began his journey to create Before They Pass Away. After visiting 35 chosen Indigenous communities, part one was published to international acclaim at the beginning of 2014. Today Jimmy is still travelling and photographing to produce part two of the project. His communication and his passion are found on a far wider platform.
He is exhibiting at international museums, shows his work at the world’s leading photographic art galleries, speaking at international conferences and is at the moment setting up the Jimmy Nelson Foundation. What drives him is not compassion for poverty or illness, but passion for décor and embellishment. Painted bodies are mirrors of pure souls. Tattooed faces are messages in flesh, worn as a second skin. Above all else, it is his fascination for the rapidly vanishing harmony between man and nature takes us to places we thought had disappeared long ago.

XLI 17, Bardi, Cape Leveque, Dampier Peninsula, The Kimberley, Australia, 2018
Archival pigment print

XI 262, Hilao Moyizo Village, Omo Valley, Ethiopia, 2011
Archival pigment print

XVII 220, Lelesas, Louelen, Lewangu, Lepokodou, Loingu, Nyerere, Ndoto Mountain Range, Kenya, 2010
Archival pigment print

XXXXVII 47, Tehuanas, Oaxaca, Mexico, 2017
Archival pigment print

Baskakhkhan, Ulaank hus, Bayan Oglii, Mongolia, 2011
Archival pigment print

VIII 452A, Maasai, Tarangire, Rift Escarpment, Tanzania, 2010
Archival pigment print

XXXIX 2, Pavel & Jello Khudi, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, Siberia, 2018
Archival pigment print

Tumbu, Hangu, Peter, Hapiya, Kati, Hengene & Steven, Huli Wigmen, Ambua Falls, Tari Valley Papua New Guinea, 2010
Archival pigment print

Tonkei, Serengeti, Tanzania, 2010Tonkei, Serengeti, Tanzania, 2010
Archival pigment print

XXI 308, Ni Vanuatu Men, Rah Lava Island, Torba Province, Vanuatu, 2011
Archival pigment print

XXIX 2, Sonam, Gantey, Bhutan, 2016
Archival pigment print

XXV 4, Mundari kids, Mayong, South Sudan, Africa, 2016
Archival pigment print

I 106, Eduard Taeragtin, Second Brigade, Chukotka – Siberia, Russia, 2012
Archival pigment print

XXVI 15, Hakahau, Ua Pou, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, 2016
Archival pigment print

XXXIII 31, Korafe, Amuioan, Tufi, Oro province, Papua New Guinea, 2017
Archival pigment print

VIII 461, Maasai, Manyara Village, Rift Escarpment, Tanzania, 2010
Archival pigment print

XL 26, Q’ero, Ausangate mountain range, Andes, Peru, 2018
Archival pigment print

Barga & Hammarech, Banna Tribe, Bori Village, Southern Omo Valley, Ethiopia, 2011
Archival pigment print

VII 270, Lekir Monastery, India, 2012
Archival pigment print

XXII 5, Longhorn Miao, SuoJia, Miao Village, Liupanshui, Guizhou, China, 2016
Archival pigment print

XXIV 1, Cave, Sadhus, Haridwar, India, 2016
Archival pigment print

XV 73, Menaja Koke, Ponowi Village, Jalibu Mountains, Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea, 2010
Archival pigment print

XXVIII 1, Gerewol Festival, Bossiio, Chad, 2016
Archival pigment print