Illustrating the stories of missing migrants for IOM

Every now and then, I find myself reverting to the practice of making artwork without constraints, without a brief, opening room for absolute experimentation. This project by the IOM’s Global Migration Data Analysis Centre is the closest I’ve ever gotten to absolute artistic freedom within the realm of paid work.

Conceptualizing, sketching, painting with ink on paper, scanning, digitally composing, printing, rescanning, making negative film, creating cyanotype blueprints, washing the prints, drying them, stitching with thread, rescanning, digitally colour-correcting, rinse and repeat.

Over 30 illustrations for 5 reports that look closely at the families of missing migrants in 4 countries; highlighting their search for answers, the impacts of loss, and suggesting recommendations for improved support.

Each illustration was approached with the families of missing migrants in mind, and each report was given a colour scheme that sets it apart. The conceptualization and realisation of these illustrations avoided portraying stereotypes, and focused instead on the lived experiences of the people searching for their missing loved ones.