I Went on a Holiday to the Country You Fled From

Iris Haverkamp Begemann is a documentary photographer based in Amsterdam. Her collaborative approach led to this project, in which she explores identity and privilege. Guided by memories and hand-drawn maps by trans writer and activist Alejandra Ortiz, she went on a holiday to Mexico, the country from which Ortiz once fled. The series interweaves experiences of belonging and rejection to create an intimate portrait of identity and the complex ways it dictates personal freedom. Along with correspondence between the artist and Ortiz, the book includes personal recollections and anecdotes. The series was granted the Dutch Photography Award in 2023.