Longing and Belonging
3rd Migrant Workers Photography Festival 
10-24 March 2024
Objectifs (Lower Gallery 2)

Opening Ceremony
10 March 2024, 2-3pm

Welcome address
Performance by BlackPEACE Band
Artist Talks
Announcement of Winners and Prize Giving

Film Screening and Talk
"Agaththee" by Ramasamy Madhavan (World Premiere)
17 March 2024, 2-3pm

Migrant Poetry Recital
24 March 2024, 2-3pm

While longing stretches far across distance to hold a place or person close, the threads of belonging instead tie one to where they already are. Like how these words are nested within each other, Longing and Belonging hopes to make space for different ways of looking at the conflicting yet intertwined desires for home, building a new life, and being rooted in a community.

MWPF’s third edition received more than a hundred submissions across two categories: Single Image and Series (3-5 images). This exhibition features the following finalists’ works, selected by judges Huda Azzis (Founder, Your Local Newsstand) and Chelsea Chua (Programme Director, Objectifs):

• Indah W. Yosevina (Indonesia)

• Lorelyn De la Cruz Arevalo (Philippines)

• Michael Jay Abalos (Philippines)

• Genelyn Mallare Joson (Philippines)

• Jenelyn Leyble (Philippines)

• Ruby Velasco (Philippines)

The exhibition also featured the works of MWPF committee members Ana Rohana, Erma Stefhany, and Itta Umdatus Sholeha.

JUDGES STATEMENT

“The submissions showcased an incredible depth of creativity and passion, capturing moments that beautifully encapsulated the essence of life from the photographer's perspective. The winning entries and finalists stood out for their distinctive viewpoints, showcasing a level of skill and vision that made the judging process both inspiring and challenging.”
Huda Azzis (Founder, Your Local Newsstand)

“Responding to the theme Longing and Belonging, these works give a small glimpse of the emotional struggles and desires of migrant workers in our community. It highlights how photography can be instrumental in sharing stories and making connections, and I hope that others are inspired by these works to express themselves through image-making.”
Chelsea Chua (Programme Director, Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film)

Supported by Objectifs, Fotohub, and our donors.