Platon, international award-winning photographer, is known for his portrait photography of world leaders and humanitarian efforts through his nonprofit, The People’s Portfolio. He will host the Maverick Speakers Series at 7:30 p.m. March 5 at Texas Hall.
Mark LaVelle, assistant vice president for university events, said the series started as a gift to the UTA community. They have a variety of speakers from different careers share their thoughts and ideas.
“The idea is to sort of bring in a stimulating conversation that hopefully is of interest and entertaining at the same time,” LaVelle said.
The presentation, “Powerful Portraits,” will feature Platon sharing his photographs and showcasing stories of those who live on either side of privilege in order to break down barriers and highlight our shared humanity, according to UTA’s website.
Tickets for the event are free to staff and students and $5 for outside attendees. They are available on the UTATickets website.
“He’s not just a photographer, he’s very much an advocate for human rights,” LaVelle said. “When he photographs people, it’s not about just getting a good photograph. It’s about looking at the humanity within the person and behind the person.”
Platon is known for his photography of world leaders, including six former American presidents. His work has been featured in Rolling Stone, The New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, Esquire, GQ, British Vogue and The Sunday Times Magazine. He has also produced over 20 covers for TIME magazine, according to UTA’s website.
In 2013, Platon founded The People’s Portfolio, a foundation seeking to create visual languages that break barriers, expand dignity, fight discrimination and enlist the public to support human rights worldwide.
UTA student leaders, staff and surveys recommend speakers for the series to LaVelle’s team. He said the group then presents to a committee that decides who they want to reach out to.
“Education goes on every day for the rest of your life,” LaVelle said. “So it’s a way of presenting educational opportunities to people at every stage of their life.”
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