January, 2017

Hidden Identities

Hidden Identities explores how society treats homeless people as “invisible” outsiders. It shows that while we provide basic support like food and clothing, we also design public spaces to exclude and push them out of sight.

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Through personal encounters and stories, the project highlights the humanity of homeless individuals, challenging stereotypes that label them as dangerous or irresponsible. It reveals how economic factors (like the 2009 crisis) and social rejection contribute to homelessness, while emphasizing that these individuals are not so different from the rest of society.

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Overall, the project criticizes society’s tendency to “camouflage” homelessness instead of truly addressing it, and calls for more empathy, visibility, and understanding.

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For this photo series, I interviewed Johan, who sells newspapers in front of the Bijenkorf in Rotterdam. When I asked if he had ever been to the city council, he sad he had not, so we went there together. I also spoke with another Johan, who was staying in a residence for former addicts in the Hague called Woodstock. Both shared their breathtaking stories about life on the streets and how they ended up there.

Concept Development, Research & Graphic Design: Ayisha Thomas