Genocides Curse

Lawrence, a Rwandan Hutu, in his home at Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda. After the 1994 Rwandan genocide, as the Tutsi minority exacted revenge on the Hutu, their previous persecutors, Lawrence fled to neighbouring Tanzania. Returning in 1996 he was imprisoned. Released after seven years, he returned to his wife and two children. Three days later, their home was attacked and burned down whilst they slept. Escaping, the molten roofing tarpaulin collapsed onto his back - Lawrence suffered third-degree burns and spent four months in hospital. His wife and children were killed in the attack.

Photographed as part of a larger body of work - 'Living in the Shadow’, Lawrences' story was published in The Sydney Morning Herald, 2015.

Biography:
Chris Hopkins is an Australian freelance visual journalist covering humanitarian issues globally. Chris’ work features in publications including The New York Times, The Guardian, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Jakarta Globe, The Global Mail, and for UNHCR and Amnesty International. His long-term projects examine the relationship between those living with mental health issues and cultural ideals of marginalised groups. Chris’ brooding imagery aims to open a dialogue with the audience whilst maintaining an empathetic connection to the subject. In 2018 Chris won the ‘Walkley’ Award, for his intimate photo story on Mohamad Yunus, a Rohingyan refugee.