The IISH collection in images: Maya Pejić
The photographic collection of Dutch photographer Maya Pejić (1935 - 2023) comprises over 220,000 negatives, slides, and prints. The collection features images of minority groups, social issues, anti-racism campaigns and other political initiatives in the Netherlands from the 1960s onwards. The collection also includes images of the living conditions of children and women in particular in dozens of countries in the Global South. The copyright to the photographs is held by the IISG.
Pejić studied non-Western sociology and travelled the world with her camera. She was particularly struck by Moroccan girls working amidst the stench and dangerous chemicals of the dye works. She also noted that the children working there seemed to regard this as normal, whereas in the West, it is considered a terrible phenomenon. Her photographs bear witness to this. Some children – though certainly not all – appear to be enjoying themselves, even radiating pride and self-confidence. The parents or other adults around them do not appear ashamed or embarrassed.
Watch the video below to learn more about the photographer and her extensive body of work.
