Mathias Heng resides in Australia and travels often to Asia, spending much of his time on assignments in the region. He travels particularly to regions and countries experiencing conflict, war, natural disasters, poverty and human struggles. Much of his work is emotionally charged, a visual documentary narrative of conflicts and its effects on the civilian population, capturing key moments and turning points of human history.
Much sought after, Mathias' work appears internationally in The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Australian, The Age and newspapers throughout Asia and Europe. Besides the mainstream media, his images appear in books and magazines worldwide as well as non-government organization publications and journals such as Oxfam USA and Australia, CARE International, Caritas Australia, Australian Volunteers International, AusAID and International Labor Organization (United Nations).
He has worked extensively on topical photographic essays in locations such as Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kiribati, Mozambique, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Thailand, United Kingdom and Zimbabwe.
In 2000, Mathias was featured alongside with other internationally renowned photojournalist such as Sebastiao Salgado in Leica’s product brochure, "The Program". In 2002, Mathias published his first book, sponsored by Leica, Viva Timor Loro S’ae, Long Live East Timor 1999 – 2002 which was launched in Australia.
Mathias is also the founder of Leica Gallery Melbourne.
In spite of his exposure to many atrocities, Mathias has never lost his passion and commitment to humanity, or his ability to capture images which speak to people around the globe.
