The extraordinary lives of ordinary amsterdammers
Together with my fellow writer Hicham, we have been capturing the stories of everyday Amsterdammers across the city’s diverse districts. Whether they are native-born, international newcomers or migrants, we explore their connection to the city: What does it mean to be an Amsterdammer? Does identity matter in a constantly evolving urban landscape? Through personal narratives, we touch on themes of belonging, diversity, gentrification, and community.
In the first phase of our project launched in 2022, we portrayed a broad spectrum of city dwellers: A student living in a luxurious apartment in Centrum, an undocumented migrant making a home in Bijlmer, a native Amsterdammer living and working in Oost, an international newcomer residing in Zuid, ... The culmination of this phase was an exhibition hosted at the Meevaart in Oost, which ran for three months in 2023, drawing in a wide and engaged audience.
For the next phase, we aim to delve deeper into individual neighbourhoods, starting with Wallenbuurt, the Red Light District, a home to a striking mix of residents: native Dutch and expats, affluent professionals and those in social housing, all navigating daily life alongside a constant flow of tourists and events.
To ensure a meaningful and community-driven approach, we are partnering with the Wallenbuurt residents’ organisation, a well-established group that fosters connections among residents and facilitates local initiatives. Through this collaboration, we will bring to light the real stories of those who call this neighbourhood home, offering an intimate and nuanced exploration of identity and urban coexistence.
With this second phase, we seek to expand our impact, deepening the conversation on what it truly means to be an Amsterdammer and how the city’s transformation affects its people. This grant will allow us to further amplify these voices, making space for dialogue, reflection, and shared understanding across communities.
CITIZENS FOR CLIMATE
'Citizens for Climate' is a book self-published in September 2022 in collaboration with Egbert Born and Leila Gray for the texts. This 232-page book reveals Dutch citizens’ hope and fears in the face of one of history’s biggest challenges yet: climate change. It brings together the stories of 26 citizens and the associated photographs that explain the involvement of Dutch citizens in the Climate movement.
AASHA Mission
A photo series documenting the solutions implemented in South Asia by local NGOs to provide clean and sustainable energy to isolated populations through the empowerment of women. In partnership with the Signify Foundation (Netherlands). Exhibition at Impact Hub Amsterdam in 2019.
See the whole selection of photos on the SDG projects page HERE.
CAMPING
A series of portraits of people staying at campsites in France. This project was created as part of a photography training course in Arles with Matthieu Asselin and was exhibited at Les Rencontres Photo d'Arles in 2017, in the section "Work in Progress".
ICELAND
A series of photographs from a personal trip in Iceland in 2015. Exhibition in 2018 in the village of Flines-les-Râches for a local festival.
LE TEMPS D'UNE PRIERE
Série photographique sur les temples taoïstes taïwanais, où cohabitent effervescence rituelle et sérénité des lieux. 2010.
LA GRANDE FAMILLE DU CIRQUE
Réalisation de la série photographique “La grande famille du Cirque” pour mon projet de fin d'études de photographie, montrant le quotidien professionnel et personnel des artistes du Cirque Arlette Gruss. 2008.
