Imagining Childhood In Lebak Siliwangi

 

In June of 2023, I had the opportunity to travel to Lebak Siliwangi, an informal settlement in rural Indonesia; to conduct on-site ethnographic research spanning over 2 weeks, exploring the significance of the area's local informal economy. It was during this time that I had the opportunity to document the village and the lives of its residents. Through my photos; often featuring strangers, I aim to capture the subtleties of the human condition, the emotions, and the stories that often go unnoticed. Drawing inspiration from the dark and gritty work of Daido Moriyama, this photo series intentionally juxtaposes the youthful children within a Moriyama-esque visual style, mirroring the contradicting aura of past and present that enveloped Lebak Siliwangi.