During the summer of 2016, I have photographed the desperate attempts by migrants from all
over Africa and the Middle East to cross the Mediterranean. Embedded on board MOAS’
(Migrant Offshore Aid Station) rescue vessel Topaz Responder, I have seen thousands of
migrants, of all ages and nationalities, trying to cross the Mediterranean in un-seaworthy
vessels from Libya. Among those thousands of migrants were many children, some parentless.
These images are but a glimpse of the unfolding and unabated tragedy of those desperately
risking their lives and their families' in the hope of a better life, free of persecution
or poverty, in Europe.
I grew up in Hong Kong and it was there that I first dreamed of being a photographer. I started by shooting in the slums of Manila at age 16. Then I forgot all about it and studied Economics and Business Management. It was only years later, and after an internship at the VII photo agency in Paris in 2012, that I re-launched my photography career. I obtained my MA in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at the London College of Communication in 2013.
Upon graduating, I moved to Myanmar where I covered the various aspects and consequences of the country’s recent development. I was a regular contributor to The New York Times, as well as other publications, in Myanmar and also worked across South East Asia.
Since the summer of 2016, and a relocation to Scotland, I have been working onboard the Topaz Responder, one of MOAS’ (Migrant Offshore Aid Station) rescue ships in the Mediterranean. I have photographed the plight of migrants attempting the crossing from Libya to Italy for many months and this project is still ongoing.
