The collaborative reportage Congo in Conversation was launched in April 2020 by Finbarr O’Reilly, laureate of the 11th edition of the Carmignac Photojournalism Award dedicated to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic prevented him from traveling to the DRC to work on his reportage, O’Reilly and the Award team reframed their approach to produce a reportage in close collaboration with Congolese journalists and photographers. Congo in Conversation addresses the human, social and ecological challenges that the DRC faced within the context of the global health crisis, highlighting Congolese photographers and perspectives.
The exhibition features photographs and videos by: Guylain Balume Muhindo | Arlette Bashizi | Dieudonné Dirole | Justin Makangara | Danny Matsongani | Guerchom Ndebo | Finbarr O’Reilly | Raissa Karama Rwizibuka | Charly Kasereka | Moses Sawasawa | Pamela Tulizo | Ley Uwera | Bernadette Vivuya
The exhibition is curated by Cynthia Rivera and Michael Kamber.

Congo in Conversation is presented in partnership with The Carmignac Photojournalism Award, which annually funds the production of an investigative photo reportage on human rights violations and geo-strategic issues in the world. The Fondation Carmignac provides the laureate with financial and human resources to carry out their project and produces both a monograph and a traveling exhibition, aiming to shed light on the crises and challenges that the contemporary world is facing.

Relaying information via a dedicated website and social networks, “Congo in Conversation” provides an uninterrupted and unprecedented stream of articles, photo reportages and videos, which visitors can consult by theme or by contributor.

With Congo in Conversation, the Fondation Carmignac provides an outlet for Congolese voices to contribute to the global discourse, communally attest to the on-the-ground situation within this immense country, and raise public awareness.

The Book
Congo In Conversation is presented in a bilingual French-English monograph, co-published by Fondation Carmignac and Reliefs Editions, and available on Reliefs’ e-shop.
The images are accompanied by a conversation with Mark Sealy, curator and Director of Autograph ABP in London, who is interested in the relationship between photography, race and human rights, Finbarr O’Reilly, and Emeric Glayse, Director of the Carmignac Photojournalism Award.