Humanitas

A vibrant collection of images by an award-winning photographer, whose striking portraits taken on travels throughout Asia compel us to look humanity straight in the eye.
Humanitas is the result of a five-year photographic adventure.
During this time, Fredric Roberts traveled extensively throughout Asia, from India to Cambodia, Bhutan to Thailand, Myanmar to China, some areas that were recently in the news after being ravaged by the tsunami. While this collection of images preceded the disaster and was only coincidentally released in its wake, it became a timely tribute to these people. Cicero coined the term humanitas (literally, "human nature") to describe the development of human virtue in all its forms, denoting fortitude, judgment, prudence, eloquence, and even love of honour—which contrasts with our contemporary connotation of humanity (understanding, benevolence, compassion, mercy). The Latin term is certainly a fitting title as we are struck not with pity for his subjects' poverty, but with respect and awe for their individual fortitude and eloquence: each photograph tells us a compelling story.
From a touching portrait of a mother and child to isolated monks at prayer, Roberts's fifty-five photographs introduce us to a wide array of fascinating individuals. With an introduction by Arthur Ollman, Director of the Museum of Photographic Arts, and an afterword by Dennis High, Executive Director/Curator, Center for Photographic Art, Humanitas captures the spirit and the beauty of each subject and will be a sheer delight to any lover of photography or travel.

Fredric Roberts is an award-winning photographer based in Los Angeles. His work has been exhibited in solo shows at the United Nations General Assembly, The Rubin Museum of Art, the Museum of Photographic Arts, the City of Ontario Museum of History and Art, Yale University, Stonybrook University, Lehigh University and the San Diego International Airport.
Fred is a member of the President’s Circle and Photographic Arts Council of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. He is also a member of the Board of Advisors of the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops. He was previously a member of the Advisory Council of the Santa Fe Center for Photography, the Patron’s Circle of the Museum of Photographic Arts, the Board of Directors of the Center for Photographic Arts, and also served as the President of the Pitzer College President’s Council.