Exhibition 'Freedom Seekers' | 5 October - 28 October

This exhibition consists of  two parts: a documentary called 'Freedom Seekers' and a collection of B&W photos taken during Jet her travels. 

You can visit the exhibition from 5 October until 28 October, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10.00 AM until 05.00 PM. 

Location: Stadskant, Stationsplein 8, Gouda, the Netherlands. 

Freedom Seekers

In this documentary, I explore the lives of four asylum seekers who, exposed to persecution, discrimination, and violence because of their sexual orientation, have fled their country to live in safety and express themselves freely. What happens when you finally arrive in a new country? Do you feel more free? What are your struggles? How do you deal with this? What does it take to build a new life?

With Aslam (Bangladesh), Oscar (Indian), Vlad (Russian) and Courage (Nigerian), whom I met at the LGBTQIA+ center in Paris (3rd arrondissement), I experienced isolation, resilience, and the search for a new life.

Homosexuality is a criminal offence in nearly 70 countries, and 11 countries apply the death penalty. On 23 May 2022, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced that the number of people affected by human rights violations had exceeded 100 million for the first time in history. 1 in 78 people on earth have been forced to flee their country.

Feel the resilience and determination of these asylum seekers overcoming adversity and fighting for their future. This documentary sheds light on the complexity of seeking asylum and striving for a free life. I invite you to look at the ongoing challenges asylum seekers face and engage in dialogue about freedom and migration.

"Free from wanting and free from having to, I only follow my feet."-- Eef Lamers

Is it possible to travel around the world without flying? In 2019, I grabbed my backpack to go on a world trip. The journey began by bicycle, starting from the Netherlands. For 15 months the journey over land and sea took me from the Netherlands to Nepal. My passion for photography grew by the day during this wonderful journey. One thing was clear: people and photography, that changes your view. So, all kinds of questions arose.

What influences our gaze? What role do our upbringing, education, experiences, and environment play in how we look at ourselves, others, the world? How can I keep an open view of the world? Or will I be unable to escape the lens of the Western world? What is ultimate freedom?