A Peu de Tanca: Pt II

Following the ‘At the Foot of the Fence’ exhibition I came across in June, I spoke this week with the man behind the photos, Antonio Sempere. The Ceuta-based photojournalist is known for his focus on migration, with much of his work documenting the hostility of Europe’s southern borders. He kindly took time out of his current project - covering the refugees confined in Serbia - to discuss his experiences.

© Humanist Forum

As we talked about the exhibition in Vilanova, Antonio explained the intention behind his work: to tell the stories that are so often forgotten or censored but which, he believes, are a key force for social change. He gave his opinions on the state of the border security systems in Ceuta and Melilla, as well as the role of the media in changing public and political perceptions of immigration. Our discussion then touched on some key differences between the migrant reception centres in the region, their many shortcomings and the possibility of change for the better.

© Antonio Sempere

It was great to get a local insight into the context of my project, as our conversation ranged from his personal interaction with migrants to the wider systemic issues framing this complex topic. Antonio’s firm belief that the general populace has a key role to play in improving the welfare of migrants was encouraging, not only for my project but for the future of European migration in general.

© Antonio Sempere