For the past four years, ROBERTS has photographed South Asians in some of the areas recently ravaged by the tsunami. While the creation of these photographs preceded this disaster, it is nonetheless a tribute to these people and is coincidentally being released as the world deals with this tragedy. "Humanitas" means the development of human virtue in all its forms, to its fullest extent - a fitting title for this magnificent collection of photography. ROBERTS traveled throughout Asia, from India to Cambodia, Bhutan to Thailand, Myanmar to China, capturing with his lens its people in all their understanding, compassion, fortitude, and honor - a splendid humanity.
Fredric Roberts was an investment banker who encountered many wealthy
people who seemed spiritually bereft. Several years ago, in a dramatic
life change, he left his comfortable world to embrace a life surrounded
by individuals who had no concept of wealth in terms of worldly goods,
and he found a different richness and dignity. In order to reach
many
of these people ROBERTS had to journey to places where there were
no phones, electricity or plumbing. In many cases he even had to
bring
his own food as there would not be enough to feed one more mouth.
Over the years, through his travels, ROBERTS made a life changing
recognition: wealth comes from inside. This is the essence that he
has captured and is sharing with the rest of the world if only to
remind us. Humanitas, Roberts' recent book, is destined
to be a classic in the vein of Edward Steichan's landmark The
Family of Man.
