ALLIE HILL
About the project:
Portraits of a Diverse City -Stories of Migration in Kuala Lumpur is a photo zine project created by Allie Hill and Amin Kamrani. This inaugural issue was funded by the Diverse Voices Media Grant 2020 from Projek Dialog. Although this a very personal project for both of us but we felt it had relevance in very universal ways.
Bringing together our experiences and stories from both sides of the divide, we hope to document a small slice of KL’s beautiful diversity with a series of photos featuring the inspiring people we have met here. This inaugural issue has naturally begun with our own immigrant friends as they have been the inspiration. In future, we hope to add even more diversity into our project with more faces from still so many communities we have yet to cover. Funds are limited at the moment, but we put this inaugural issue out with the faith that it may spark more conversations about our identity and why xenophobia is never, never acceptable.
Allie Hill
TUKANG SENI / STORYTELLER
I love this crazy, chaotic, charming city, as only one who was born, bred and schooled here can. KL is my kampung, and its energy, vibe and toxic fumes run deep in my veins. I am a tukang seni, or design craftperson. Over the past 29 years, I have had the immense good fortune to practice my craft in four beautiful cities: Kuala Lumpur, London, Bangkok and Singapore. In 2016, my work experience came full circle when my family moved back to Kuala Lumpur. They haven’t been able to get rid of me since. My experience includes the usual scope of graphic design work, but what I love the most, is working where my skills intersect with the things I care deeply about, such as art, culture and community. I am a big believer in creative collaboration. I also enjoy telling tales, and have authored and illustrated two childrens’ storybooks.
Amin Kamrani
PHOTOGRAPHER / FILM MAKER / STORYTELLER
I am fascinated with every face I meet. There are stories behind each face. There is a life behind those eyes. I try to read and imagine the untold stories behind the portraits of each individual. Here is why I like Kuala Lumpur and the diverse faces found here. It’s a city, full of myriad stories, perspectives, and ways of living.
I’m an Iranian immigrant living in Malaysia since 2011. It was end of 2012 when I began working with refugees in a non-governmental organisation called Malaysian Social Research Institute (MSRI). Since then, I’ve been collaborating with several NGOs and rights groups in Malaysia. Aside from being a social worker, I’m also a freelance photographer and filmmaker. I’m a member of Parastoo Theater Team – a refugee performing arts group. I assist in their productions and media activities.
–
PORTRAITS OF A DIVERSE CITY – STORIES OF MIGRATION IN KUALA LUMPUR
https://www.flipsnack.com/alliehill/portraits-of-a-diverse-city_issue-01-xmydsyqjiq.html
https://www.thevibes.com/articles/culture/6884/embracing-the-other-through-images-words