Spanning 120 Years and 55 Countries, ‘The Family of Migrants’ Portrays a Broad Story of Human Movement

In 2022, a poignant moment unfolded as twenty-one-year-old Tanya fought back tears, clasping her boyfriend’s hand—perhaps for the final time. On a train bound for Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, Volodimir, clad in military fatigues, kneels to comfort her, preparing to head into battle against Russia’s aggressive invasion.

Captured by photographer Ilvy Nijokiktijen, this heartrending image is featured among nearly 200 pieces in a compelling book and expansive exhibition at Fenix, a new art museum in Rotterdam dedicated to the theme of migration. The Family of Migrants explores the multitude of reasons behind human movement from the year 1905 to the present, addressing issues ranging from war and economic hardship to exile, internment, and the pursuit of opportunity abroad.

This collection includes documentary work, portraits, and photojournalism from 136 photographers across 55 nations over the last 120 years. By showcasing such a wide-ranging view of migration, it connects various narratives—from a soldier leaving for war to an Afghan refugee and a poverty-stricken mother traveling with her children—aiming to deepen our understanding of migration.

“Throughout history, people have moved for various reasons—voluntarily, out of necessity, or under compulsion. Migration is a force that shapes the world, both dividing and uniting individuals. However, discussions often become fixated on statistics or politics,” explains curator Hanneke Mantel.

The exhibition’s title is a homage to the influential 1955 MoMA exhibition, The Family of Man, curated by Edward Steichen, which presented a narrative of global unity in the aftermath of World War II with hundreds of poignant photographs. Steichen aimed to capture “the gamut of life from birth to death,” a vision Mantel aims to extend at Fenix by telling a more complete story of migration today.

The Family of Migrants, published by Hannibal Books, features works from prominent photographers like Dorothea Lange and Ernest Cole, alongside contemporary artists like Alejandro Cegarra. You can find your copy at Bookshop.