Ongoing Journeys: A Story of Family - (2017-19)
It was just a few months after his arrival in the UK that I first met Rami. Having fled with his wife, Ruba, and their children, Mustapha, Yazan and Hanan from the besieged Syrian city of Homs in 2012, Rami and his family were later brought to the UK under the Government's resettlement scheme and housed in a small East Yorkshire market town.
I had recently returned to the UK myself after many years based in Palestine. I later got married in Palestine. Now back I am supporting my wife as she navigates the UK immigration system.
Rami and I seemed to share several things in common. We soon became friends and I began to document the new stages of his family's life. I felt however that something was missing from the work, further layers that were yet to reveal themselves. Then one day Rami told me a story...
Soon after the family had fled their home it was invaded my militias who caused widespread damage and scattered their belongings. Days later a member of their extended family went to the house and found a small collection of family photographs among their strewn possessions. She picked them up and took them with her when she also fled to Lebanon where she found Rami and Ruba and reunited them with this small collection of printed memories.
They brought these photographs with them to the UK. It is the only printed remains of their visual history. Most of their surviving family have now been displaced to several countries, although a few remain within Syria. Taking collective family photographs is no longer possible, although via WhatsApp the family continue to share photos of their lives today.
'Ongoing Journeys' is an intimate yet collaborative project that brings together, at least photographically, an extended but fragmented Syria family. Collectively we are rebuilding the family archive.
Awards
LOOK Photography Biennial Open Call – Winner, 2019
Brighton Photo Biennial 'Open Forum' Open Call – Winner, 2018
Jerwood/Photoworks Photography Prize – Longlist, 2018
Arts Council England 'Grants to the Arts' – Grantee, 2018
UNHCR Innovation Award – Shortlist, 2018
St. Hugh's Foundation Arts Award – Winner, 2017
Exhibitions
LOOK Photography Biennial, Liverpool (Satellite Program) - 2019
Journeys International Festival, Portsmouth - 2019
HIP Gallery, Hull - 2019
Migration Museum, London - 2018-19
Supported By
Arts Council England and the St. Hugh’s Foundation for the Arts.