amateur category
Rituals of Borneo (Single)
DESCRIPTION
Members of Borneo’s Dayak community, these men wear adornments inspired by ritual dances dedicated to the hornbill, a sacred figure in their culture. Once performed by warriors to invoke courage and harmony, these dances reflect an animist cosmology deeply rooted in ties to nature and ancestors. Feathers, beads, tattoos—each detail embodies a collective memory that some are now striving to pass on, far from folkloric stereotypes.
AUTHOR
Self-taught photographer and traveler, Thibault Gerbaldi documents people and places with a clear, dignified eye. His work has earned top honors, including first place at the Siena Awards 2025, the International Photography Awards 2025, and the International Travel Photo Awards.
In 2024, he received the Rising Talent Award from Travel Photographer of the Year, the world’s most prestigious travel photography competition. That same year, he was named one of AAP’s Emerging Talents to Watch.
In 2025, three of his photographs were selected for Around the World with the Leica, a major exhibition held at the Leica headquarters in Wetzlar to celebrate the brand’s 100th anniversary. Chosen from over one million images submitted by more than 65,000 photographers worldwide, this recognition placed his work at the heart of Leica’s global centennial celebration.
His images have been published in Leica Fotografie International, All About Photo, Digital Camera, and various specialized media. His work travels the world—from Miami to Paris, Arles, Venice, Marrakech, Los Angeles and Rome.
Beyond photography, Thibault is committed to supporting humanitarian causes through his work. A board member of The Forgotten International, he funds solidarity projects through donations linked to the dissemination of his books and photographic prints.
In 2024, he received the Rising Talent Award from Travel Photographer of the Year, the world’s most prestigious travel photography competition. That same year, he was named one of AAP’s Emerging Talents to Watch.
In 2025, three of his photographs were selected for Around the World with the Leica, a major exhibition held at the Leica headquarters in Wetzlar to celebrate the brand’s 100th anniversary. Chosen from over one million images submitted by more than 65,000 photographers worldwide, this recognition placed his work at the heart of Leica’s global centennial celebration.
His images have been published in Leica Fotografie International, All About Photo, Digital Camera, and various specialized media. His work travels the world—from Miami to Paris, Arles, Venice, Marrakech, Los Angeles and Rome.
Beyond photography, Thibault is committed to supporting humanitarian causes through his work. A board member of The Forgotten International, he funds solidarity projects through donations linked to the dissemination of his books and photographic prints.
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