During a pivotal moment in our history, we find ourselves continuing to grapple with our perceptions of migration and the refugee crisis, with considerations for the role that race, national origin, and socio-economic status play in impacting to whom we extend empathy and humanity. In times of uncertainty and overwhelming tragedy, we reflect on the most urgent issues and seek to pave a way forward while confronting our past and present. We risk forgetting why some people feel compelled to seek safety and the chance to rebuild their lives, and resilience far from home.
“Portraits of Resilience” features photographs of survivors of torture from around the world. Some have fled their home countries seeking safety, recovery, and political asylum. Most participating survivors were tortured by repressive governments for reasons varying from joining oppositional political parties to criticising their governments, being related to a political dissident or because of their religion or sexual orientation.
Survivors are the strongest and most effective voice in the campaign to abolish torture.
Not all survivors want to be recognised for fear of repercussions to their friends and family. Each survivor selected a photograph that was significant to them and part of their story. The photograph was then projected over the individual, sometimes obscuring their identity as per their request.
The portraits invite viewers to see the survivors in the fullest measure of their humanity — to look beyond whatever pre-conceived notions they might have about refugees and asylum seekers and see them as individuals with very human connections to place and home in the face of the growing number of refugees.
The ongoing photo series captures the courage and determination that led each survivor to flee their home country and seek safety, often after a dangerous and uncertain journey. “Portraits of Resilience” is presented in collaboration with British photographer Jonathan Banks, TASSC International, REDRESS, Freedom from Torture and the survivors.
