Treasured Objects Project

with Canopy NWA

In 2019, the local refugee resettlement agency Canopy NWA hired me to create portraits of recently-arrived refugee families. I developed the idea for another project to try and capture a little of the story of their past and current lives. I asked each family to go and find two sets of objects: 1) some things they brought with them from their home country, which would show their priorities and what was important enough to try and save and bring with them on their journey here, and 2) their new favorite objects that they had acquired here in Arkansas. One family brought nothing but the clothes on their backs with them; others were able to bring more. I aim to pick this project back up later this year and grow the body of work.

Here are a few of those pairs of images. Old first, new second. Click to enlarge.

A family gathering in a living room with children and adults posing for photos. The second image shows the family celebrating with awards, toys, and books displayed on the table.
A woman and six children sitting and standing around a large wooden table in a room with a white wall and a decorative framed sign that reads 'Home sweet home.' The woman is in the center, wearing a red and black plaid dress and a colorful head wrap.
A diverse group of children and adults in a living room, surrounded by toys, dolls, books, and electronic devices, posing for a photo during a family or community gathering.
Family gathered together in a living room, with musical instruments and documents, celebrating a special occasion.