Community is, for me, one of the most important pillars in being and in the development of oneself as a person. Because both of my parents are from Togo and settled in Europe, displacement forms an integral part of my identity. This does not mean that home does not exist, but rather that a part of me remains in continuous search of a home within the diaspora — a search that is always in motion.
Seeking out the multiplicity of images and narratives within the diaspora is an essential part of this process. Image is the medium through which I investigate how Black people have been positioned, as well as how they have positioned themselves within history and broader social contexts.
I am present with moments as they unfold and work from within that encounter. From this relationship, images emerge that carry meaning for me. I use photography to create space for stories in which Black people are central. I portray people as I experience them in that moment, in relation to myself — consciously and unconsciously, together. The images invite an experience: a sense of presence, a glimpse into lived realities, into space, into being.
Working with analog photography reflects this approach. It requires slowness, attentiveness, and an openness to what presents itself, allowing space for the individual. The processes involved, and the role of time in shaping the image, render each photograph a deliberate and singular encounter.
In addition, I consider it important to create spaces where this community can come together, for instance by facilitating conversations through a book club. The ways in which individuals are socialized shape how these spaces are entered. I explore how such spaces can offer a sense of safety within the ongoing search for home.