Now We Are Here

This photography series was created out of the need to shed some light on the contributions and accomplishments of refugees in the United Kingdom and how their journey, struggles and aspirations for a better life has helped define their status and place in the society in their newly found home. This photography series aims to challenge the stereotypical narrative of who a refugee is and the complexities surrounding their reasons for fleeing their country of birth to seek protection in a faraway land that comes with a heavy price of loosing everything for a fresh start elsewhere that is not guaranteed. Being a migrant myself, i put my heart and soul into this project by having personal connections with each of my sitters to capture their stories in such a way that it reflects their strength, vulnerability, and aspirations. Making them look important and larger than life was a priority for me. I have drawn inspiration from Renaissance artist such as Thomas Gainsborough, Anthony Van Dyck, Hans Holbein the younger and 1960s African contemporary photographers like Seydou Keita and Samuel Fosso to create the perfect feel for this project.