Iraq - The Space Between

German born photographer Christoph Bangert has spent several months over the last 3 years in Iraq on assignment from the New York Times - during some of the most dangerous times when most other journalists had long gone. The result is some of the most shocking and stunning photographs I've seen, and I don't shock easily.
I was originally drawn to the exhibition after seeing this image, taken in the Karada neighbourhood of Baghdad, during a sandstorm.

But don't be lulled into a false sense of security - Bangert bridges the gap with unexpected striking and beautiful images of a warzone mixed in with what you might expect; images of death, pain and destruction and then everything in between - the civilians caught in the middle who still have to go about their daily business. I was fortunate enough to go to Bangert's talk at the Midland hotel and it was good to see he hadn't been number or come accustomed to the experiences of war.
He also told us the ironic story behind the image below (the cover image from the accompanying book) of an abandoned children's play area

The soldiers built it for the Iraqi people, but because of it's location people are too afraid to use it. This is a truly breathtaking exhibition that really needs to be seen.
The exhibition Iraq - The Space In Between is on at the Artland Gallery in Manchester until 14th March 2009.