Title: An autobiography of Miss Wish /
Authors: Berman, Nina; Stevens, Kimberly; Heijden, Teun van der
Year: 2017
Subjects: Berman, Nina; Stevens, Kimberly; Berman, Nina; Documentary photography; Human trafficking victims Pictorial works.; Documentary photography; Human trafficking victims
Abstract: An autobiography of Miss Wish is a tale about two lives intertwined, subject and photographer, working collaboratively to create a uniquely enigmatic book, which pushes the boundaries of documentary storytelling. It is a haunting, dark story of a survivor of sex trafficking and child pornography and her struggle to survive and find physical and emotional safety, to assert herself as an artist and narrator, and to craft a life while living in a state of flashbacks, trauma and addiction. Photographed over 25 years in London and then New York City where Miss Wish fled on the advice of Scotland Yard, the story is told through multiple narrative elements including the protagonist's vast personal archive which was safeguarded by the photographer who assumed the role of friend and advocate. The resulting book weaves together this archive of harrowing drawings depicting crime scenes and flashbacks, hospital psychiatric reports, diary entries, personal ephemera and letters and text messages between photographer and protagonist.