Unframing Migration photographic exhibition

Unframing Migration photographic exhibition

Duration: 3Months
Start - End : May 2010- August 2010
Funded by: Malta Arts Fund
Objective:

The photographic exhibition Unframing Migration documented the lives of people who are themselves immigrants and those people who have been actively working for the rights of migrants. Through this project Migrants Solidarity Movement wanted to make the realities of peoples’ lives as vivid as possible- not only through the photographs but also with the little stories that accompany each photo.

All of the migrants photographed had harsh stories to tell, stories of hardship, about tragic events which they experienced in their home country, situations which arose on their journey to Europe and the never-ending discrimination they face in Malta. But also stories of love and joy - finding refuge from war and persecution, feeling accepted and loved by a Maltese family, developing friendship at work and hope for a better future. However nothing can replace the sorrow of not being able to return to their country and not being able to see their families, together with the uncertainty and upheaval that the experience of becoming a refugee brings with it.

This project was a long process of getting to know the people photographed quite intimately. Many of them were already friends of the photographer and the writer but through this process a deeper friendship was developed. This is exactly one of the aims of the photographic exhibition- the endless boundaries of friendship. When one is called a friend all the prejudices and boundaries come tumbling down.

Outcomes: The photographic exhibition was launched in the Heritage Malta centre in Valletta and it was part of the 2010 Notte Bianca. This was very successful as many people attended the exhibition and had a chance to meet with migrants who were also there on the night. As part of the project the photos and stories were made into a publication which was disseminated in educational institutions.