Generosity, hardship, community, commitment, privilege, and inequality:

Sacrifice explores universal notions of connection and personal struggle. Bringing together portrait photography and oral histories, this ongoing body of work by artist William Debois highlights contemporary social issues through an uncurated, non-judgemental narrative that delivers poignant and often powerful stories.

In this creative and personal process, the sitter is asked to share

their reflections on two central questions:

What does sacrifice mean to you?

What sacrifice have you made?

Commenced in early 2020, the project aims to illustrate the diversity of lifestyles, values and aspirations that define contemporary Australia and the complexity of individual experiences.

In addition to a selection of photographs from the existing Sacrifice series, eight Benevolent Living residents are also proudly profiled. Conceived during a collaborative four-day Artist in Residency, the portraits were produced following William’s established modus operandi: an old military tarpaulin as a backdrop; a classic Hasselblad film camera; an open, listening ear; and a keen artistic eye.