From the Shut Your Aperture archive (2014): these images and the contributor’s account document one visit. People pictured are not assigned identities, present circumstances or consent claims. The original portrayal of the community as “primitive” is omitted.

Mentawai Photo Series

An archival photo series by Mélanie Chamorel Astrup from a visit to Siberut Island, Indonesia.

In the original account, the photographer described a long trip by boat, vehicle, canoe and on foot to reach the place where she photographed.

Astrup described the visit as a personal reflection on relationships and everyday life. This account reflects her own perspective at the time, not a general description of the people photographed.

Portrait of a person standing outdoorsSavePerson working with wood in a forestSaveLaundry hanging among treesSavePeople gathered beside a fire in a homeSaveGroup seated together inside a houseSavePerson standing among forest plantsSaveAdults and a child inside a homeSavePerson working on a large woven surfaceSaveChildren sitting together indoorsSavePerson working beside split wood in a forestSavePerson standing among tall tropical plantsSavePeople gathered inside a homeSavePerson sitting in a dimly lit houseSavePortrait of a young childSaveAdult holding a small child indoorsSaveChild resting arms on a wooden surfaceSavePerson working on a wooden surface inside a homeSaveRaised wooden dwelling surrounded by treesSavePerson working with wood indoorsSaveAdult holding a child near an open doorwaySaveAdult and child photographed inside a homeSavePortrait of a child outdoorsSaveInterior of a wooden dwellingSaveWaterway bordered by palm treesSave

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