The Enduring Power of Portraiture: Immigration, Identity, and Artistic Expression
Photography, as a medium, continues to evolve beyond mere documentation. Clémence Polès Farhang’s work, exemplified by her decade-long project Passerby and its recent exhibition at Slip House in New York City, demonstrates its power to explore complex themes of identity, displacement, and the immigrant experience. The project, featuring portraits and interviews with over 300 women across multiple cities, reveals a common thread: the profound impact of migration on shaping individual narratives.
Unearthing Shared Experiences of Displacement
Farhang’s work highlights how displacement isn’t simply a geographical shift, but a catalyst for self-discovery, and reinvention. Many of the women featured in Passerby are either immigrants themselves or the daughters of immigrants. Their stories, as captured in the portraits and accompanying interviews, reveal how leaving one’s homeland fundamentally alters one’s sense of belonging and shapes their artistic pursuits. This echoes a broader trend in contemporary art, where artists are increasingly using personal narratives to address larger socio-political issues.
The portraits of Huong Dodinh, who fled Vietnam as a child and settled in Paris, and Isabel Sandoval, a filmmaker who left the Philippines for New York, illustrate this point. Dodinh’s memories of a lush homeland contrasted with the starkness of a Parisian winter, even as Sandoval’s journey led her to explore her identity as a trans woman in a new cultural context. These individual experiences, when presented alongside others, create a powerful collective portrait of the immigrant experience.
Art as a Response to Societal Narratives
Farhang’s approach is informed by a critical awareness of how images are used to shape public perception. She draws a parallel to Carmen Winant’s work, noting how photography can be repurposed to advocate for social change. In the context of immigration, Farhang questions the dominant narratives that often frame migrants as a “problem to be solved” or a “flow to be controlled.” Her portraits offer a counter-narrative, showcasing the resilience, creativity, and contributions of immigrant women.
This reflects a growing movement within the art world to challenge established power structures and amplify marginalized voices. Artists are increasingly using their work to address issues of social justice, inequality, and cultural representation. The Kirkus Prize in Nonfiction 2025 recognized Scott Anderson’s King of Kings, a book examining the Iranian Revolution, further demonstrating a heightened interest in narratives from underrepresented regions and communities.
The Intersection of Culture, Identity, and Artistic Practice
The stories within Passerby also reveal the enduring power of cultural heritage. Shirin Neshat, an Iranian artist who immigrated to the United States, describes a lifelong connection to her homeland, even after years of living abroad. Similarly, Naïlat Salama Djae and Salimata Ali Chahidi, a mother-daughter duo from the Comoro Islands, have built a vibrant life in Paris while remaining deeply connected to their roots.
This highlights the importance of preserving cultural identity in the face of assimilation. For many immigrants, art becomes a means of maintaining a connection to their heritage and sharing their stories with a wider audience. Tiana Rainford, raised by a Jamaican immigrant mother in New York, exemplifies this, using her work at a community farm to promote healthy eating and cultural traditions.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Portraiture and Immigrant Storytelling
The success of Passerby suggests a continued demand for authentic and nuanced representations of the immigrant experience. As societies become increasingly diverse, there will be a growing demand for art that reflects this reality. You can expect to spot more artists using portraiture and other visual mediums to explore themes of identity, belonging, and cultural exchange.
The rise of digital platforms and social media will also play a crucial role in amplifying these stories. Clémence Polès Farhang’s use of Instagram to share excerpts from her interviews demonstrates the power of online platforms to reach a wider audience and foster dialogue. The “Best of 2025” list from passerby magazine also highlights the growing importance of online publications in shaping cultural conversations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Passerby project?
A: Passerby is a decade-long photographic and oral archive of over 300 women, photographed in their homes across New York, Paris, London and Los Angeles.
Q: Where can I view the Passerby exhibition?
A: The exhibition, titled “Can I come over and take your picture?”, was hosted at Slip House in New York City.
Q: What themes does the Passerby project explore?
A: The project explores themes of immigration, identity, womanhood, and the impact of displacement on individual narratives.
Q: Is Clémence Polès Farhang working on new projects?
A: Clémence Polès Farhang published her favorite films of 2025 on her tumblr, indicating ongoing creative work.
Pro Tip: Support artists who are dedicated to telling diverse and authentic stories. Follow their work on social media, attend their exhibitions, and share their art with others.
Did you know? The portraits in Passerby often feature subjects who are immigrants or children of immigrants, highlighting the significant role of migration in shaping identity.
We encourage you to explore more articles on contemporary art and social justice on our website. Share your thoughts on the power of portraiture in the comments below!
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