Company Palette | Honte, le point de non-retour

Two humans, on on the leave, the other remains.

The resting one waits for something the other one cannot find. A continuing back and forth between two persons, oppressed by their respective expectations. The resting one is close up in a waiting process of hope for a better life – a hope based on the success of the left one.

My motivation

“In the year 2015, in Chad, I met two Cameroonian migrants who described their hardship to me; yet, they cannot return home.

When you leave, in the quest for a better life in another country, you cannot come back with empty pockets, regardless of the difficulties you faced: your family, your friends, keep their eyes on you with grant expectations.

During my following travels, in Africa, to different cities and in Europe and beyond, I was shocked to listen to the same speech of non-return. In despite of their different journeys, all witnessed the same  disenchantment, the dream of an Eldorado becoming a common reality: precarious and insecure living conditions leading to social decline. A tragic experience spoiling the relations with their communities.

Facing those stories, watching the poorness in cold and humid streets, I am overwhelmed with a growing sadness. I feel anger as I feel powerless. My answer is this work, an attempt to describe the common psychological destiny of those fearing to deceive those who expect a glorious return to the home community. 

My aim is to make visible and tangible this hope for success becoming an obstacle for a return. I want to describe the devastation a human experiences with this invisible wall to his fellows. This failure of exile.”

Alima Rolland