Series Statement
Martina Navarro's project, "Resilience in Melodies: The Music of Displacement", is an evocative exploration of the refugee crisis, illustrating the role of music and arts in the lives of those displaced by conflict. By focussing on the arts they carry with them, she presents a unique angle on the refugee experience, revealing the resilience, cultural richness, and shared humanity among those displaced.
Navarro, hailing from Argentina, is known for her unorthodox approach to photojournalism, which is again on display in this project. Instead of focusing solely on the hardships faced by refugees, she has chosen to spotlight the resilience and hope conveyed through their music, dance, and arts. Navarro demonstrates that, even amidst chaos and despair, art can serve as a beacon of hope, a testament to resilience, and a carrier of identity.
The project spans across multiple camps in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, documenting a variety of art forms. Navarro uses a blend of environmental portraiture and documentary-style shots, allowing for the narratives of the individuals to unfold organically. She sensitively handles her subjects, employing natural light and an unobtrusive presence to maintain the authenticity of their artistry.
Image Captions
The Oud Player A Syrian man is portrayed playing an Oud, a Middle Eastern string instrument, in the dimmed evening light. His face reflects a deep concentration, shadowed by the orange sunset behind him. The shallow depth of field brings the intricately designed Oud and his strumming fingers into sharp focus, encapsulating the beauty of the music he creates amidst the hardship.
The Dancing Shadows Navarro captures the silhouette of a group of Afghan girls performing a traditional Attan dance in the heart of their refugee camp. The golden hour light creates a sharp contrast between their moving figures and the makeshift tents. The spinning motion of their dance is caught mid-movement, illustrating their dynamic expression of cultural heritage.
Canvas of Hope A young Sudanese boy is photographed while he paints a vibrant mural on the canvas of his tent. The bright, saturated colours of his painting stand in stark contrast to the surrounding dusty camp, demonstrating the potency of art as a symbol of hope and resilience. The composition, shot from a low angle, gives prominence to the boy and his artwork, dominating the frame.
Mother's Lullaby An Eritrean woman soothing her infant with a traditional song is the focus of this photo. Shot in close-up, it highlights the woman's face, etched with both worry and love, the baby in her arms, and the gentle gesture of her hand. The soft, diffuse lighting and shallow depth of field create a tender and intimate atmosphere, humanizing their plight.
The Puppeteer A group of Rohingya children gathered around a puppet show under the shade of a large tree. The puppeteer, a middle-aged man, performs with hand-made puppets. Navarro utilizes a high angle for this shot, offering a bird's-eye view that brings the enraptured faces of the children, the vibrant puppets, and the puppeteer into focus. The tree's shade and the natural afternoon light paint a dramatic picture of this momentary escape from their harsh reality.
The Storyteller A powerful monochromatic portrait of an elderly Congolese woman, her face marked by age and experience, narrating folk tales to an unseen audience. The black-and-white palette emphasizes the lines of her face, while a single source of side lighting creates deep shadows that enhance her expressive features. Her story, while unheard in the image, is profoundly etched into her countenance, serving as a potent symbol of the transmission of culture and the power of oral traditions.
