Abhi Chinniah is a self-taught photographer and writer who has a passion for telling the stories of migrant communities in New Zealand. Her latest project, A Migrant’s Path, is a series of portraits that showcase the diversity and resilience of people who have made Aotearoa their home.
The inspiration behind A Migrant’s Path
Abhi Chinniah was born in East Coast Malaysia and moved to New Zealand when she was 18 years old. She faced many challenges and struggles as a migrant, such as racism, discrimination, and identity crisis. She also witnessed the hardships and achievements of other migrants who came from different backgrounds and cultures.
She decided to use her skills and talents as a photographer and writer to document and share the stories of these migrants, and to celebrate their contributions to New Zealand society. She wanted to create a platform for them to express their feelings, opinions, and aspirations, and to show the diversity and richness of their cultures.
She started A Migrant’s Path in 2022, and since then, she has interviewed and photographed more than 50 migrants from various countries, such as India, China, Somalia, Fiji, and Colombia. She asked them about their reasons for migrating, their experiences of settling in New Zealand, their challenges and opportunities, and their sense of belonging and identity.
The process and impact of A Migrant’s Path
Abhi Chinniah said that the process of creating A Migrant’s Path was a deeply personal and rewarding one. She said that she spent a lot of time building trust and rapport with the portrait sitters, and listening to their stories with empathy and respect. She said that she tried to capture their emotions, personalities, and perspectives in her photographs, and to portray them in a positive and authentic way.
She said that the impact of A Migrant’s Path was beyond her expectations. She said that the project received a lot of positive feedback and support from the public, the media, and the art community. She said that the project also helped to raise awareness and understanding of the migrant issues and realities in New Zealand, and to challenge the stereotypes and prejudices that some people may have.
She said that the project also had a personal impact on her, as it helped her to grow as an artist and as a person. She said that she learned a lot from the stories and experiences of the migrants, and that she felt inspired and empowered by their courage and resilience. She said that she also gained a deeper appreciation and connection with her own culture and identity, and with the diverse and multicultural society of New Zealand.
The exhibition and future plans of A Migrant’s Path
Abhi Chinniah said that she was very proud and excited to showcase A Migrant’s Path in various exhibitions across New Zealand. She said that the project was acquired by The National Library NZ, and that it was currently on display in Queenstown, as part of the At the World’s Edge Festival, which explores identity, perspectives, and cultural dimensions through the lens of classical music.
She said that the exhibition in Queenstown features 20 portraits of migrants who live or work in the region, and that it runs from September 29 to November 19, 2023. She said that she will also host a meet the artist session on October 14, where she will talk about her work and answer questions from the audience.
She said that she plans to continue A Migrant’s Path in the future, and to expand it to include more stories and perspectives of migrants in New Zealand. She said that she hopes that her project will inspire and encourage more people to appreciate and celebrate the diversity and belonging of the migrant communities in New Zealand, and to foster a more inclusive and harmonious society.
