Why you left, Who you left

'Why You Left, Who You Left’ is a personal exploration of what it means to feel at home. In this two-part series, Tengbeh Kamara delves into why their father decided to return to his country of birth, leaving behind his wife and three young children in the Netherlands.

When Tengbeh is eleven years old, their father moves back to Liberia to help rebuild the country after the civil war. In Tengbeh’s young eyes, this seems like a noble and heroic decision, but as an adult, the photographer comes to understand just how deeply the departure impacted their family. Out of these conflicting feelings of compassion and incomprehension, two chapters emerge.

In the chapter ‘Why You Left’, Tengbeh visits their father and his new life, capturing the freedom, the impact, and the sense of belonging he missed out on as a Liberian man living in the Netherlands. In the other chapter, ‘Who You Left’, Tengbeh documents those who were left behind and reflects on what their father’s decision has meant for their family.

‘Why You Left, Who You Left' started at the end of 2024.

Discover more by Tengbeh Kamara.

This programme is made possible by Mondriaan Fund and Amsterdam Fund for the Arts.