TOKYO-2016 People / Children

The Leftovers - Down Syndrome

  • Prize
    Silver in People/Children
  • Photographer
    Justine Tjallinks

It’s amazing how a mother-to-be today can determine if her unborn child has Down syndrome. Thanks to science and cautious parents-to-be, fewer children are being born with this condition. When I learned this, I couldn’t help but wonder; could there be no one left with Down syndrome in our near future? Do we live in a world where there is less and less room for imperfection? This idea inspired me to create portraits of young children with Down Syndrome. To visualize their emotions and beauty. When you look at this portrait of Isa, the first impression is that she seems normal. When you turn your head sideways, the down syndrome is really visible.