Michael Foley is a brilliant photographer who has captured the faces of development in images that express the strength and vulnerability of the people in struggle. He has also beautifully captured the nature and the wonder of human achievement in cityspaces and architecture. Michael loves Lahore and is a frequent visitor of his most favorite city in South Asia. He writes about Lahore: What a glorious city, Lahore – vibrant, throbbing with life and so beautiful. We present eight selected photographs of Michael Foley’s collection and invite readers to tell us what is the first thing that comes in their mind when they see each photograph.
Originally from Dublin, Ireland but currently living in Washington DC, Michael works for the World Bank and has travelled a lot to developing countries, specially South Asia, helping to establish the Global Development Learning Network.
As Michael writes: I have certain interests across a spectrum, from faces to places, and from nature to architecture. In my pictures I try to catch the strength and the vulnerability of the human spirit, the beauty of nature and the play of light on form. While photography captures the fleeting moment, it also preserves it forever, and so the snapshot of today can be the historical document of tomorrow. You could say that Photography is history, its imprints gaining value as years go by, for what it says about a time, a people and a place.
Michael’s work can also be found here, here, here and here.
Photograph Details: Photographs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 were taken in June 2007, along the route of the “Royal Walk” in the walled city of Lahore. A cultural heritage project, funded by the World Bank, and involving the Gov of Punjab and the Agha Khan Trust for Culture is planned for the area. Photographs 1, 2, 6, 8 are from the Cooco’s Den in Walled City, Lahore. 3, 7 are from Masjid Wazir Khan and rest are taken inside the narrow streets of Dehli Gate.
Thanks Darwaish for the detailed response. I used to walk from ‘Zila Kachehri’ (District Courts) to ‘Badami Bagh’ (Almond Garden) to catch a bus. Entering from ‘Bhaati Darwaza’ (Bhatti Gate) in the south one could reach Roshnai Darwaza (Lighted Gate) in the north without any problem. The walk went through ‘Shahi Mahalla’ (Royal Street) and the ‘Hazuri Bagh’ (Royal Garden). Being familiar with the neighborhood I could well imagine where Cooco’s Den Restaurant would be located. But even in those days most of the ‘Havelies’ (Mansions) were in bad condition and taken up as multi-family residences and businesses and trade shops. Exception were the brothels that were always well maintained and brightly lit up at night. But early in the morning is the best time to go through the ‘Royal Walk’. That is the time when the ‘shady side’ of the night is fast asleep and the scavengers go through the rubbles………..Looking forward to your post.
Alvi Sahab: It is actually called Cooco’s Den & Cafe or Coco’s Den & Cafe. For reader’s interest let me share whatever I can remember about Cooco’s Den and its owner Iqbal Hussain.
Situated in the old Lahore’s Diamond Market (Heera Mandi), Cooco’s Den is an old Haveli, converted into a restaurant. It was originally a brothel and family home of one of Lahore’s finest and yet most controversial painters, Iqbal Hussain. Those who are familiar with iqbal Hussain’s know that he is particularly renowned for painting courtesans of this area (Diamond Market), dancers, musicians and the landscapes around River Ravi. The walls of Cooco’s Den & Caf
Have heard of Cuckoo’s Nest but what is this Cooco’s Den featured in these pictures. Does name of the restaurant has any thing to do with the gaudy colored exterior of the defaced building?
Where is picture number 5 taken from? This place is begging for restoration indeed.
Lahore Lahore aie!!!! Beautiful colors.
Thanks for sharing this.