Since January 2020, North Korea has closed its borders to foreigners. But even before that, the regime's ban on unauthorized photography and strict controls made it extremely difficult to photograph its mysterious landscapes. Tariq Zaidi has an extensive archive of images taken over two years. His book shows a selection of more than 100 remarkable photographs that provide insight into North Korean society. Zaidi skilfully captures the resilience, spirit and cultural nuances of the people in their everyday lives. Each photo is a window into a hidden reality, revealing the intricate interplay between tradition and modernity and illuminating the complex dynamics of a nation finding its way under the gaze of the world. After the award-winning Sapeurs. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Congo This is Zaidi’s second book with Kehrer Verlag.

Zaidi's images demonstrate a deep commitment to portraying important social issues, lack of social equality, cultural traditions and vulnerable or marginalized communities around the world. He has worked in 18 countries, mainly developing countries, on 4 continents. His work has been shown in more than 60 international exhibitions and has been featured in over 700 publications since August 2015, including articles in The Guardian, BBC News, CNN, National Geographic, The Washington Post, Der Spiegel and El Pais.

half-linen binding
19 x 27 cm
176 pages
105 color illustrations
English