No Dar Papaya is American artist Matthew James O’Brien’s photography exhibition and book of polaroid photos of Colombia from 2013 – 2013.
No Dar Papaya is a Colombian expression that basically means don’t let yourself be taken advantage of.
No Dar Papaya is a Labor of Love
O’Brien first went to Colombia in 2003 to photograph Colombian beauty contests. That earned him exhibitions in Medellín and Cartagena.
Like many visitors, O’Brien fell in love with the spirit of Colombia, so he continued photographing.
A 2010 Fulbright Fellowship enabled O’Brien to devote some quality time to completing the project.
Sometimes it takes someone from the outside to see who you really are. During the period 2003 – 2013, Colombia received a lot of bad press in the world from the legacy of the Escobar years, and the long-running Colombian civil war.
But when you look at the photographs, there is nothing scary there. The photos are mostly of places where you would like to vacation and people you would like to meet.
Colombia is famous for the beauty of its land and its people. That comes through O’Brien’s photographs. See the beauty and no dar papaya.
No Dar Papaya in New York City
An exhibition of American artist Matthew O’Brien’s polaroid photos of Colombia, No Dar Papaya, opens with a book launch reception at the Colombian Consulate in Midtown East on Thursday, November 9, 2017 from 6 – 8 pm. The exhibition runs through December 5, 2017.
For more information, visit www.nodarpapaya.com
