"My work is greatly influenced by my role as an explorer for National Geographic, which has allowed me to approach my subjects with a depth and rigour that I find incredibly rewarding.
Over the course of my five-year professional photography career, I have, so far, cultivated a profound affinity for narratives that echo with deep human significance and ecological resonance. My journey with the camera has been a relentless pursuit of those moments that intimately connect us to our environment and each other, revealing the all-important and profound interplay between humanity and the natural world.
I’ve been working on Almanzora’s Dust since discovering the story in 2020. It’s an ongoing endeavour that continues to evolve as I delve deeper into the community and its stories. Immersing myself in the lives of people has allowed me to unearth stories that challenge stereotypes and preconceptions associated with migration in this part of Spain. Each interaction unveils layers of personal and collective history that are both profound and enlightening.
I’m based in Barcelona, which offers a vibrant backdrop for a variety of stories and a central hub from which to explore the diverse narratives across Spain and the rest of Europe."
What is the story?
Almanzora’s Dust is a documentary photography project aiming to capture the life and resilience of the African diaspora in the Levante Almeriense region of southeastern Spain. This region hosts the world’s largest greenhouse, and many migrants, particularly young Africans, come here seeking work and a better life.
More specifically, the project wants to delve deeply into their lives through the role of the Famara Association (Deportivo Cultural and Social Association of African Immigrants of Cuevas del Almanzora) which plays a crucial link between migrants and the local community in fostering a sense of community and resilience, promoting integration and mutual support through their shared passion for football.
It provides migrants, many of whom are agricultural workers facing daily challenges, a platform to connect, express themselves, and find support, including financial support through fundraising. In doing so, the Famara Association helps alleviate social tensions, foster mutual understanding, and build a sense of community in a region that presents challenges for many young Africans.
A significant aspect of the project revolves around a football tournament organised by the Famara Association each summer in Cuevas del Almanzora (Almería). This event serves as a microcosm of the broader narrative, exemplifying teamwork, shared goals, and collective resilience among the migrants.
What is the appeal to the general public?
Almanzora’s Dust interweaves the themes of cultural diversity, and human life. The tournament brings together many young people, most of them field workers who find unity in sport during their free time.
Focusing on the human being it delves into the daily life, struggles, dreams, and victories of this community, offering readers an intimate look at people who, although their life circumstances differ from the majority, share universal concerns. The narratives are linked to broader issues such as identity formation, human rights, and the far-reaching implications of migration, making the story relevant to a wide range of readers.
The story subverts the often negative and simplified narrative of migration, at least in Spain, explaining instead the resilience and positivity. By capturing their experiences, Almanzora’s Dust fosters empathy and a deeper understanding of them as individuals struggling for a better life, just like anyone else.
Why is it important to tell this story now?
The importance of explaining Almanzora’s Dust is intensified due to the growing influence of exclusionary discourse in southeastern Spain where this story is located. Localities like El Ejido and Níjar have become bastions of these thoughts. Although the story focuses on Levante Almeriense, it reflects challenges and themes that are relevant in many other places in the world, where migrants face similar difficulties.
Many of these young people arrived in Spain via the Mediterranean Sea, a journey that has claimed the lives of over 1,800 migrants in 2023 alone. The struggle continues upon reaching their destination in southeastern Spain where they face pressing issues.
Almanzora’s Dust aims to be a testament to the power of collective action to overcome adversity, providing a beacon of hope in a climate of increasing division.
