Texting Syria - Liam Maloney

Syrians fleeing their homes to escape civil war retain one crucial line of communication with those left behind. For theserefugees, the mundane act of texting is transformed into an exchange of precious communiques that confirm the survival ordeath of their loved ones.

In Texting Syria, Toronto-based photographer LiamMaloney examines mobile phone technology as a conduit for the struggles and strength of Syrians exiled in Lebanon. His photographic portraits, audio recordings and reproductions of refugees' real text messages combine in testimony to the private dramas of wartime, exposing intimate parallelnarratives beyond those that are represented in conventional documentary photography.His innovative and multi-sensory approach to documenting Syrian refugees' experiences has led Maloney to become a recipient of the Prix Dazibao, as well as being nominated for Picture Story of the Year by the News Photographers Association of Canada. Texting Syria has been exhibited inCanada, the US, Turkey, Norway and Switzerland.