Hassan series - Documentary photography by Isabella Griffiths

This was a collaborative photo project made with Mirvat, Ahmadomar, Maria, and Ginan Hassan who are New Zealanders with a refugee background. They left everything behind in Damascus, Syria, in 2012, whilst fleeing for their lives. They now reside in their home in Hataitai, Wellington. 2018 was the peak of the refugee crisis in Europe and the media portrayal of displaced people was toxic and alienating. I wanted to show a more local and sincere perspective. In the project, we were creating a reimagined family album. These vernacular photographs are a honest, but tender visual lineage of who we are and how far we have come. By sharing stories and images that are familiar, we break down dehumanising narratives of refugees. Noticing similarities creates the empathy that gets us past the boundaries of ‘us and them’.

All images are shot on 35mm film and 120 film with the permission of the Hassan family.

“Some people have hate in their minds, but when you speak with them face to face or have anything to do with them, they realise you are human. If I have a scarf or don't have a scarf, if I believe in god or not, Im very different from you. But I have something and you have something that we have in common. We are all human.“ - Mirvat Hassan

What are you most grateful for?

“Education, being able to learn, being able to communicate. Most of the stuff would be censored so I am lucky for my freedom in education. I am also happy I can make friends. I have old friends and new friends. I can actually finally sleep safely, without having one eye open.” - Ahmadomar Hassan. (12 years old)

“Everything is ok now.” - Mirvat Hassan

What are you biggest cultural shocks coming here?

“English, but I have only studied for two years now.” Wow! Your english is better than mine. “I had trouble with my accent at the start but I am learning. I speak chinese and russian, I started looking for people who could speak those languages. I felt isolated, but I knew how to say hello how are you and what can i do? Now I am a lot better, i have improved within those two years somehow. We have been here for three and a halfs years now so we have good english now. I want to get my doctorate or a scientist or a doctor and now I can. I can help people” -Ahmadomar Hassan. (12 years old)