Posting these fotos as a series ( the fruit pickers ) that I intended 2 start over a year ago is no simple task. By being photographed, a lot of these men fear their deportation back to Africa to the countries they once fled. This is a highly politicized
(reading between the lines - policed situation ). I spent only a few hours on the last days which remained of our holidays trying to show them that I was not a government agent who had come to spy on them. They finally opened up & expressed their fears & desires to me after hours of dialogue. I knew that starting this series was just the tip of the iceberg 2 a bigger project, that I wish I had of pursued 10 yrs ago when I first landed here on Spanish soil. Unfortunately, at the time I was too busy trying to find my own way to survive here in Spain. The question of massive immigration entering Spain has not been easy especially on those seeking proper status here in Europe. These men ( from Mali ) bring to our tables through joyous song & chatter the fruit that they pick.