October 25, 2012 at 9:37 am

18 Classroom Portraits Around the World

by twistedsifter

 

Classroom Portraits is an ongoing series by photographer Julian Germain that started in 2004. Germain received his MA from the Royal College of Art in London and has had exhibitions around the world. He has also published several books including Classroom Portraits 2004 – 2012.

The series engages the viewer because the portraits trigger memories of our own school days, our classmates and the desire to know what happened to them. As we are taken on a tour of classrooms around the world we see both the diversity and universality of the classroom setting.

As Tom Shakespeare for Archive Magazine puts it:

“…the power of the images is in their direct connection to the viewer. We remember our own schooldays and wonder what happened to our own classmates. By presenting different pupils, different schools, different year groups, Germain asks questions about contemporary educational practices and social divisions. Already we can imagine the life trajectories of some of these young people. Here are faces full of hope and promise. Here also, is the silent threat of failure. Aspiration competes with apathy…” – Tom Shakespeare. Archive Magazine, October 2005

 
Below you will find a small gallery of Germain’s fascinating classroom portraits. Be sure to check out his website where you can see an online gallery of 30-pictures as well as find out more information on where to purchase his books and learn about his other projects.

 

 

1. Germany, Düsseldorf, Year 7, English classroom

 

germany dc3bcsseldorf year 7 english classroom portraits julian germain 18 Classroom Portraits Around the World

 

 

 

2. England, Erith, Year 10, English

 

england erith year 10 english classroom portraits julian germain 18 Classroom Portraits Around the World

 

 

 

3. Qatar, Grade 10, Religion

 

qatar grade 10 religion classroom portraits julian germain 18 Classroom Portraits Around the World

 

 

 

4. Argentina, Buenos Aires, San Fernando, Year 3

 

argentina buenos aires san fernando year 3 secondary classroom portraits julian germain 18 Classroom Portraits Around the World

 

 

 

5. Taiwan, Ruei Fang Township, Kindergarten, Art

 

taiwan ruei fang township kindergarten art classroom portraits julian germain 18 Classroom Portraits Around the World

 

 

 

6. The Netherlands, Rotterdam, Secondary Group 3, Motor Mechanics

 

the netherlands rotterdam secondary group 3 motor mechanics classroom portraits julian germain 18 Classroom Portraits Around the World

 

 

 

7. Nigeria, Kano, Ooron Dutse, Senior Islamic Secondary Level 2, Social Studies

 

nigeria kano ooron dutse senior islamic secondary level 2 social studies classroom portraits julian germain 18 Classroom Portraits Around the World

 

 

 

8. Peru, Tiracanchi, Secondary Grade 2, Mathematics

 

peru tiracanchi secondary grade 2 mathematics classroom portraits julian germain 18 Classroom Portraits Around the World

 

 

 

9. Holland, Drouwenermond, Primary Year 5, 6, 7 & 8, History

 

holland drouwenermond primary year 5 6 7 8 history classroom portraits julian germain 18 Classroom Portraits Around the World

 

 

 

10. Yemen, Sanaa, Secondary Year 2, English

 

yemen sanaa secondary year 2 english classroom portraits julian germain 18 Classroom Portraits Around the World

 

 

 

11. Cuba, Havana, Playa, Year 9

 

cuba havana playa year 9 national television screening of film e28098can gambae28099 about cuban participation in angolan revolution classroom portraits julian germain 18 Classroom Portraits Around the World

Photo taken during National television screening of film Can Gamba (about Cuban participation in Angolan Revolution)

 

 

 

12. England, Bradford, Year 7, Art

 

england bradford year 7 art classroom portraits julian germain 18 Classroom Portraits Around the World

 

 

 

13. Brazil, Belo Horizonte, Series 6, Mathematics

 

brazil belo horizonte series 6 mathematics classroom portraits julian germain 18 Classroom Portraits Around the World

 

 

 

14. Saudi Arabia, Dammam, Kindergarden, Activities

 

saudi arabia dammam kindergarden activities classroom portraits julian germain 18 Classroom Portraits Around the World

 

 

 

15. Tokyo, Japan, Grade 5, Classical Japanese

 

tokyo japan grade 5 classical japanese classroom portraits julian germain 18 Classroom Portraits Around the World

 

 

 

16. USA, St Louis, Grade 4 & 5, Geography

 

usa st louis grade 4 5 geography classroom portraits julian germain 18 Classroom Portraits Around the World

 

 

 

17. Yemen, Manakha, Primary Year 2, Science Revision

 

yemen manakha primary year 2 science revision classroom portraits julian germain 18 Classroom Portraits Around the World

 

 

 

18. England, Keighley, Year 6, History

 

england keighley year 6 history classroom portraits julian germain 18 Classroom Portraits Around the World

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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split face portraits of relatives ulric collette 5 18 Classroom Portraits Around the World

 

 

 

 

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