Amongst the Waves, Doves, Spiders, and Their Webs

20 pieces of photographs

According to UNHCR 'forced displacement' is defined as people displaced ‘as a result of persecution, conflict, generalized violence or human rights violations.’ People may also be driven from their homes by natural disasters and poverty. Migration stories in the 21st century explore people's different motivations for embarking on often dangerous journeys to seek safety or a better life.

For the queer community being forcibly displaced is a familiar experience, it is a journey of the pursuit of self-ownership. This journey is followed by challenges of leaving behind the known, adapting to new environments, forging connections, and constructing a sanctuary that resonates with the essence of home. But what, one might ask, is the essence of home, and where does it reside?

Amongst The Waves, Doves, Spiders, and Their Webs document the experiences of those who have chosen to make Bali their haven, a place where they have chosen to redefine what it means to be at home. A visual document of a journey that speaks of the universal quest for belonging, identity, and self-possession. The undulating rhythm of the Bali’s waves mirrors the dance of their lives in a new space.

Artist

Dwi Asrul Fajar

Indonesia

Dwi Asrul Fajar’s work studies the psychological facets of the self through the medium of photography, text, and sound, analyzing their layers, structures, and narratives to question or re-articulate their similarities, contrast, and juxtaposition. Received bachelor’s degree in Indonesian Literature from the Faculty of Humanities at Airlangga University, Surabaya - Indonesia (2010). He finished Study on Collective and Contemporary Art Ecosystem at Gudskul, Jakarta - Indonesia (2018-2019).

He is also a producer, working on podcasts tackling various topics such as gender and sexual diversity, human rights and social justice, and environmental issues. Through Love Buzz, a podcast he produced on queer individuals in Indonesia, he initiated photography and podcast workshops in 2021 and 2022 for LGBTIQ+ individuals and allies.