The Jungle / 2015 / Digital print / 83 x 83 cm
‘The Jungle’ is the last part of the Mandala series, composed of photographs taken here and there in The Jungle, the now dismantled refugee camp in Calais, France. Despite their geographical, economic, and political isolation, the refugees maintained their living. They continued to fulfill their dream of self-reliance through all possible productive activities and did not lose their cultural and personal identity. For example, they built a Muslim prayer room using abandoned scraps in their vicinity or stuffs from factories near the camp. They gathered money from people from the same country to set up a cooking facility for traditional food. There were also several houses distinguished from the other shacks by unique and creative decorations. Through this work, I want to honor their perseverance and will to live.