Portrait of Semi (1931, West Java), Jan Banning, 2008

Portrait of Semi (1931, West Java), Jan Banning, 2008

inkjet print, h 587mm × w 432mm More details
© Jan Banning

A photograph need not be a rapid record of a moment in time. Here the camera slowly explores the women’s worn faces; Banning searches for their emotionally charged history. In the Second World War they were forced into prostitution as ‘comfort women’ in the military camps of the Japanese occupier. Banning makes portraits in which the long, arduous processing of war experiences is manifest and the slipping by of ‘historical’ time contained.

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Identification

Title(s)

Portrait of Semi (1931, West Java)
Portrait of Semi (Born 1931 in Tawangmangu, West Java)
Comfort Women (series title)

Object type

photograph

Object number

NG-2011-20-4

Description

Portret van Semi (geboren 1931 in Tawangmangu, West-Java). Troostmeisjes waren jonge vrouwen die gedwongen in Japanse bordelen moesten werken tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Deze portretten tonen de vrouwen ruim vijftig jaar later. Hun gezichten vertonen nog de sporen van wat zij hebben doorgemaakt.