My Heart is Sinking: A Photovoice Exhibition

Explore the emotional struggles of Pakistani women in HK through this photovoice exhibition. Guided tours: Oct 14 & 17, 11 AM. Book a slot! My Heart is Sinking is an exhibition originating from a two-year community-based photovoice research project with Pakistani women in Hong Kong. Developed through an ongoing academic–community partnership between the CARE research team from The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Pakistani women in Hong Kong, the exhibition invites audiences to explore and understand their lived experiences of emotional struggles, perseverance, and fortitude in the context of migration. Across five participatory workshops, 73 Pakistani women were introduced to photography and photovoice methods, and engaged in critical dialogue, using photographs and personal narratives to explore their journeys of migration and the emotional struggles woven into those experiences. Their photographs speak of enduring patience (sabar), family caring responsibilities, loss associated with migration, loneliness, and experiences of marginalisation. Yet throughout their stories, the women also reflected upon their collective strength to face pain, support one another, and build new lives. The research on which this photo exhibition is based was fully supported by a grant from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China [Project No.: CUHK 14610923]. Heartfelt thanks are extended to the Pakistani women photographers and storytellers who generously shared their images and voices; to photographer and artist Faye Yingfei LIANG for providing the training; and to the Jockey Club S.A.T.H. Project for Healthy Families for its invaluable support throughout the project.