The world is vast, with some choosing to situate themselves in one place for their entire lives, while others bravely choose a nomadic existence. This project offers a little insight into some of these nomads’ lives. In present times, individuals can travel to foreign countries without much difficulty. Communication back and forth from one place to another has never been so easy. Migration occurs so frequently nowadays that the indigenous people from the host country are no longer surprised to find themselves cohabiting with foreigners.
When a nomad leaves their country of origin, they pack their essentials, but also tend to include a memorable item of sentimental value, which ensures a sense of home is always with them. This item has little monetary worth but it enables the owner to reflect nostalgically on the past. Florence Nightingale said “the object and color in the materials around us actually have a physical effect on us, on how we feel.” This project focuses on foreigners who come here to study or work. With various backgrounds, they decided to share with me their stories and their objects, which have also been transported around the world.
The central influence for this work is Julia Margaret Cameron. Viewing her photography granted me a deeper understanding of how to empower subjects, how to make them the centre of attention, powerful yet ethereal at the same time. After considering her use of light, it was my intention to produce images that would focus on two points: face and object of attention. The dark backdrop is used as a metaphor to emphasize the importance of the subjects present situation. What began as a simple portrait project has evolved into a study of the fortitude and fragility of the nomad.
