''We are not documents but human beings'' The presentation of a counter-narrative on undocumented migration through the art practices of We Sell Reality

Abstract

This study provides insights on the construction of place- and political belongingness of undocumented migrants by presenting a counter-narrative on undocumented migration through their art practices. A literature study first of all sheds light on the existence of dominant exclusionary discourses in the Netherlands as the host society. Thereafter it focuses on the flipside, by discussing the impact on the construction of one’s identity and sense of belonging within an exclusionary society. Lastly, it investigates how art practices can support the construction of belonging among marginalized and contested groups in society. This study contained participatory research of three months with the members of the art collective We Sell Reality. Participatory art-based methods, focus-groups and an in- depth semi-structured questionnaire were applied to construct the research. Results revealed that although exclusionary discourses on forced and undocumented migration in the Netherlands make undocumented migrants feel unwelcomed and not belonging in the Dutch society, their everyday life art practices contribute to constructing a sense of place- and political belongingness in the city. Through making art and socializing within the collective, the members feel like they belong to each other and in the city. Thereby, emotional and informal notions of citizenship and belonging unfold on a local level. In addition, it can be stated that their resistance and awareness creation of their situation by fighting for their rights as human beings through their practices, contribute to constructing a sense of political belonging within an exclusionary society. This study thereby contributes to new and alternative academic knowledge on the construction of belonging of a specific marginalized and rather invisible group in society.