Our opinions are substantially influenced by the daily stream of pictures and stories that reach us. These images are often clichés, and serve to reinforce what we already 'know' rather than offering us new points of view. Particularly when it comes to ‘minorities’ in our society, I become annoyed at the often biased coverage and negative images we are given. My own mental image of at least a part of Africa was formed in Uganda, and really that is still the thread that runs through my work. By opening myself up and immersing myself in the story of ‘the other’, I try to look beyond the clichés and learn to know the personal stories behind the stereotypes.

The basis of my work is shaped by encounters, at home in The Netherlands and on my trips. Often these are encounters with people from different cultures. My curiosity guarantees that I will become fascinated with these people who are rootless and adrift. By making a photo series or a film, I hope to convey something of my own fascination, admiration and engagement with them. Often they are people who could be my friends; the bond that I build up with them is an important point of departure for my work. My work involves more than just ‘portraits’ in which I record these encounters. I make use of elements from my own visual culture or from the culture of my partner in the encounter.

Visual artist, Frouwkje Smit 2009