‘Manawatū Migrant Voices’ Solo Exhibition, 2026

A portrait series by Gerry le Roux

Manawatū Migrant Voices is an ongoing series of photographic portraits of migrants and refugees living in the Manawatū. Each participant is photographed and then invited to handwrite a reflection about their migrant experience directly onto the final photographic print – either in their native language or in English. These brief, personal narratives offer an intimate window into the migrant experience.

The physical act of writing transforms each portrait from a reproducible photograph into a one-off photo-literary artwork, merging visual art with storytelling. Handwriting, an expressive and personal form of mark-making, becomes an inseparable part of the image. It carries the participant’s voice, language, and even personality in ways that typed captions cannot. These works are not digital composites or captioned prints – they are original, irreplaceable artefacts that reflect both the individuality of each subject and the collaborative nature of the creative process.

The minimalist headshots strip away context to focus attention on facial features and expressions, while the repetitive, tightly arranged presentation creates a visual rhythm and thematic cohesion. It is through this consistent framing that subtle distinctions in identity, emotion, and experience become more visible. While each portrait is individual, the repetition of form invites contemplation of both personal and collective narratives of migration.

The Manawatū Migrant Voices project experiments with authorship and voice in a way that challenges the conventions of documentary portrait photography. Participants are not simply subjects – they are co-creators, contributing to both the visual and narrative content of the work. This participatory approach emphasises ethical representation, cultural sensitivity, and trust-building.

Collectively, the series builds a rich, multilingual narrative on migration, creating a contemporary historical record that reflects the cultural diversity of the region. The Manawatū’s vibrant migrant and refugee population enriches the region’s social fabric, and this project aims to reflect both the individual and collective dimensions of that experience.