A Migrant’s Path

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A Migrant’s Path was acquired by The National Library of New Zealand and will now live in their archives. Read Abhi’s statement below:

I am excited to share that my photo series A Migrant’s Path has been acquired by The National Library of New Zealand. The acquired collection includes portraits, essays and podcast episodes from my archive.

I created A Migrant's Path as a way for me to bridge the gap I felt between my roots and where feels like home. The title came from a portrait I took of a woman walking a path. After its launch in June 2021, A Migrant's Path quickly merged with my debut series Light Skin Dark Skin. It seemed fitting that both exist as one because both projects look at the lives of ethnic communities and our journeys in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Another topic that has weaved through my work is Colourism and understanding how skin discrimination has affected so many people.

A Migrant's Path was set to tour the country, but mental fatigue and being made redundant from my job hindered those plans. At the time, I did not have the energy or confidence to keep this project going so it is massively validating to know that my work will live on somewhere.

Thank you to the women who so generously shared their lived experiences and for letting me photograph you. Thank you to everyone that came to see the exhibition, particularly those who went to The Tuesday Club where I had the chance to connect with you. And to Depot Artspace and ArtsPost Hamilton for giving my work a home.

I hope that A Migrant's Path will continue to reach people and be seen.