Merdeka is the title of the Wereldmuseum Dossier Nederlands Indië. I was asked to document the Indonesian society in the Netherlands. From there I extended that into a historical timeline of all the islands that have once been colonialized by the Dutch. My journey started on Java, where I visited Jakarta. From there I traveled to Sumatra, where I photographed Aceh. Next I traveled to Maluku, then to Bali, and on to Paramaribo (Suriname) which I did as heritage. I finished it in The Netherlands, where I documented the Moluccan and Indian population. It was a journey for me personally as well, a reflection of where I come from. I ended my journey with my grandmother.
My work has been exhibited in the Wereldmuseum for a year. It was one of the most visited exhibitions of the Netherlands, and it has been extended for that reason as well. My work offered a whole other perspective because it was photographed through the eyes of someone who has the same roots. That was the difference.
Year2019LocationIndonesia, Suriname, The Netherlands
