Interview with the Photographers of the Exhibition "Living With": Antoine Martin and John Kalapo

From September 3 to 30, 2025, Quai Wilson in Geneva will host the photographic exhibition "Living With". Created in collaboration with the NCD Policy Lab, it showcases the daily lives of people living with type 1 diabetes in Geneva and Bamako. Through their portraits and stories, the exhibition invites visitors to discover another side of the condition: one of adaptation, resilience, and solidarity. We meet the two photographers behind the project, Antoine Martin and John Kalapo.

What does the "Living With" exhibition showcase, and what message do you hope to convey to the public?

Antoine Martin : This project highlights the human side of type 1 diabetes. A condition without boundaries—regardless of age or gender—that requires constant vigilance… yet does not prevent people from finding balance. Each portrait reflects a unique way of continuing to move forward.
John Kalapo : Yes, and I would add that living with type 1 diabetes is a daily challenge, but not an end in itself. Behind every treatment are dignified, courageous, and resilient individuals who lead full lives despite the obstacles.

How does photography help to better understand this reality?

Antoine Martin : For me, it is a way to meet and understand patients’ daily lives beyond the medical perspective. Photography immerses you in their experiences, their challenges, but also their ways of adapting.
John Kalapo : And it makes visible what often remains unseen. Through portraits, we discover stories, hopes, and resilience. Photography thus becomes a tool for both testimony and advocacy.

How were patients involved in the artistic process?

Antoine Martin : They are at the heart of the project. Their generosity in sharing their daily lives allowed me to capture their courage and zest for life. Without them, nothing would have been possible.
John Kalapo : Before each photo, there was a moment of conversation. The images were created with them, not just about them. This was essential to provide an accurate and fair representation.

Before each photo, there was a time for conversation. The images were created with them, not just about them.

What guided your aesthetic and narrative choices?

Antoine Martin : I worked instinctively at first, then spent a lot of time considering the sequencing: how to pay tribute while informing, and how to offer a powerful testimony of humanity and solidarity.
John Kalapo : On my side, I aimed for accuracy and sensitivity. No dramatic staging: natural light, gentle proximity, everyday scenes at school, work, and home. To show that the condition is part of their lives, but does not define them.

How did you combine your perspectives in this project?

Antoine Martin : We chose not to share our images during the shooting process, to keep our approaches intact. Later, we compared our visions and discovered what brought them together.
John Kalapo : Yes, our styles differ—more journalistic for Antoine, more social and contextual for me—but together, they complement each other. This dialogue enriched the narrative and gave the photographed individuals their full presence.

What role do you hope the exhibition will play in raising awareness about diabetes?

Antoine Martin : Breaking the taboo. Type 1 diabetes remains little understood, often shrouded in silence. Here, as elsewhere, the goal is to share experiences to better understand and embrace differences.
John Kalapo : And to challenge prejudices. These faces and stories create an emotional connection with the audience. In Bamako as in Geneva, I hope this will inspire dialogue, support, and action.

You photographed in Geneva and Bamako: what differences and similarities did you observe?

Antoine Martin : The contexts are different, but constant adaptation and the strength of life are universal.
John Kalapo : Exactly. In Geneva, healthcare is accessible; in Bamako, resources are limited. But everywhere, resilience and solidarity persist. This highlights the urgent need for health equity.

What has this project taught you personally?

Antoine Martin : Everything. I knew nothing about diabetes when I started. This work opened my eyes to the resilience of patients—and even made me reflect on my own life.
John Kalapo : For me too, it was a lesson in strength, courage, and humanity. It reminded me how essential access to healthcare and family and community support truly are.

 

 "Living With", September 3–30, 2025, at Quai Wilson, Geneva. Free entry. Online exhibition: https://ncdpolicylab.org/activities/exhibition/living-with

 This exhibition is part of a long-standing collaboration between the University of Geneva, the Geneva University Hospitals, the NGO Santé Diabète, and various partners in Mali, in partnership with the NCD Policy Lab and with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.