The Galerie Weisbard in Rotterdam presents Societies, an exhibition by Stacii Samidin in these terms.
Raw honesty, radicalism, and unfamiliar territories are the foundation of Samidin’s continuous life’s work called Societies. At the core, is the essence of seeing, hearing and accepting a human being without prejudice and judgment. Documenting the lives of minorities, the oppressed and of those with unorthodox lifestyles all around the world. Creating a shift in the individual and collective consciousness by challenging our perception and raising the voices of the unheard through photography and film.
During his teenage years, Samidin (1987, Rotterdam) had difficulty conforming to the world around him. Being labeled by stereotypes and feeling unheard himself, Hip Hop and radicalism became his allies. He started documenting his environment without the intent of becoming a photographer. This came to the attention of a professional documentary photographer who introduced him to the field. Shortly after, Samidin got the opportunity to exhibit his first series Moluccans in The Netherlands (2011), a controversial subject about the Republic of South Maluku (RMS) youth, in the Nederlands Fotomuseum. From that moment on Samidin understood the power of his medium. Photography became his language and it continues to have a tremendous influence on his personal life and strong work ethic.
Becoming the first gang photographer of The Netherlands was his goal until he was yet again confronted by stereotypical labels and started traveling extensively. This developed the desire to question one’s truth. Studying the relationship between the character of a person and its environment. Offering a platform for open and honest dialogue. A broader motive came to life: Societies (2008).
Stacii Samidin : Societies
until May 17th 2025
Galerie Weisbard
Karl Weisbardstreet 175
3015 GM Rotterdam, Netherlands.
https://weisbard.nl/
Publication accompanying the exhibition :
Stacii Samidin
Hannibal Books
English edition
Hardcover – 216 pages
26 × 17,6 cm
ISBN 978 94 6494 173 9
€ 45
https://hannibalbooks.be/stacii-samidin
