For over six years, photographer Michele Zousmer was welcomed into the Irish Traveller community while she photographed, built friendships, and learned about this unique group of people.
The resulting book, MIS[S]UNDERSTOOD looks at the population as a whole, while focusing on the role of females within the culture. Michele captures the pride and tenacity of this community and the daily life struggles that the Irish Traveller people endure in Ireland.
The Irish Traveller’s are a beautiful group of people. They are a distinct ethnic culture with origins dating back to the 16th century. They have their own dialect, cultural traditions of large families, separate gender roles, and strong Catholic faith. In Ireland, they experience hardships and discrimination socially and politically. They face daily challenges obtaining a good education, housing and employment, High rates of domestic violence and suicides pervade their community. Life is full of hardships for many . Michele Zousmer sheds light on their lives and amplifies the women’s voices struggling to keep their traditions alive in this changing world. Her photographic work expresses the essence of human existence and emotion, capturing moments that resonate with life’s profound experiences – love, loss, vulnerability, and resilience.
About Michele Zousmer
Michele, born and raised in New York City and now living in San Diego, is a humanitarian photographer. She uses her camera to help others journey into worlds she captures, becoming a storyteller, an advocate, and a pathway to change. Constantly searching for quiet moments she unveils the connections that bind us all. Her work expresses instances of grace and beauty often overlooked by the casual observer. Meeting individuals from all walks of life and different cultures she merges into their worlds. It is through these relationships that she is able to express the shared internal essence that binds us all. [Official Website]
