The Images

This section is dedicated to the images I have shot myself. The images on this page will be rough edits of scans used for image selection. Notes will be made per session.

Vega Family

Notes:

  • The Vega family was one of the first sparks that kicked off my project, conceptually. In a conversation we had, when the project was focused soley on documenting Serani individuals, They had mentioned that the PEA ( Penang Eurasian Association) had told them they weren’t considered to be Eurasion and had essentialy no say in the affairs of the Association. This lead me towards probing further into the concepts of what defines the Serani individual.

  • Rebecca is a key figure in this debate. One of the few recently who have spoken up against double standards and inconsistencies of the Eurasian community when it comes to inclusivity.

  • Sharon is a researcher who did her MA in Sociology with a project focused on the Serani/Eurasian history. We are exchanging notes and information.

Penang House of Music

Notes:

  • Paul is the curator at the Penang House of Music, and is contantly engaged in advocation and education surrounding the Serani and musical history of Penang.

  • Shot double-up due to lighting conditions being difficult.

  • Prefer the wider portrait with the instruments around. Paul’s expression is also a little more vacant and more in line with the emotion I’m trying to evoke.

Melessa Dewitt

Notes:

  • Melessa considers herself Eurasian through her grandfather who is if English decent. The rest of her family are Chinese-Malaysian and she would not be considered “truly” Eurasian by the standards of the Penang Eurasian Association.

  • Shot outdoors on an overcast day. Experimenting with looking into the camera vs. away.

  • Personally prefer the “looking in” shot, the image feels more confronting/intimate

Penang Eurasian Association

Notes:

  • Photographed several people during an event at the PEA as well as made several contacts for further interviews

  • Left two images: Aloysius Gasper, Chairman of the PEA

  • Right two images: Anthony Eustace Nonis, Elder member of the PEA and author of “Penang Eurasians” book

  • The PEA is in an old building I remember from my childhood. The building has not changed much since then, other than a few light cosmetic alterations. The grounds are unkept and there are broken windows and chairs on the outside. The building seems to be falling apart, and it was something I wanted to subtly capture. The wide portrait of Aloysius captures some of this in the background, and is my prefferred image from the day.

Kampung Serani Area

Notes:

  • Walked around the old Kampung Serani area. This area was originally home to many Eurasians in Penang. Since its urbanization in the early 90s, most have moved away. There wasn’t anything too interesting in the area, besides a park that was decently maintained, aside from the pictured broken concrete bench.

  • I found a bottle of cheap liquor that was left in the park. It was labeled “A-class” and reminded me of the story written in my journal. The scan’s highlights are a little blown out, but there is information to recover in the negative, so I may rescan it.

Granddad

Notes:

  • Took a photograph of my Granddad in his garage/workshop. Whenever I think of him I picture him here. A chaotic mess that he somehow manages to navigate with impeccable memory.

  • Only shot 2 photos that were the last from my box of film. Can easily reshoot if needed, but I am quite happy with the shot.

Colonial Fort ( Fort Cornwallis)

Notes:

  • Photographed at an old colonial fort. The fort is currently undergoing restoration works and has several areas that are new, while others are in ruins.

  • There are some colonial posters and figures for tourists to take photos with, which I thought was quite amusing.

Cathedral of the Assumption

Notes:

  • Exploring the aspect of faith / religion.

  • Cathedral of the Assumption is one of the oldest churches in Penang. I was allowed access to photograph it in the process of being restored.

  • Shot all 10 shots, not sure if I would be able to come back.

  • Interested in the migrant labourers who were working on the restoration. The story often told in the Eurasian community is that a Portuguese preist on Mission built a church which served as a central point for the first and original Serani families. He is hailed as a pillar of the community. Here, hundreds of years later, a migrant is once again building a church, yet he is considered by society to be from one of the lowest classes.

Kathleen Rodrigues

Notes:

Eurasian Heritage Fiesta

Notes: