Journeys of Freedom

Over the past 40 years, migration has accounted for more than 70 percent of Miami-Dade County’s population growth. Each foreign-born resident of Miami carries a story—a journey, whether short or long, that brought them here. Woven through these diverse paths are shared experiences of loss, transformation, and resilience.

What is lost—and what is gained—when we move from one place to another?

What does it take to embark on such a journey?

The photographs presented in this installation, located on the second floor of the Freedom Tower, reflect migrations both monumental and intimate, exploring the powerful intersection of movement and freedom. As they rotate, the photographs by Carl-Phillipe Juste, Matías J. Ocner, and Silvia Ros come together to form a living mosaic of the human experience.

Matías J. Ocner

Since its inception, photojournalism has played an important role in recording history. Matias J. Ocner, a staff photojournalist for the Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald, creates images that document South Florida's communities, elevate their voices, and inform readers. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ocner earned his associate's degree at Miami Dade College and his bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communications with a concentration in photography from Florida International University.

Carl-Philippe Juste

Carl-Philippe Juste's photographic practice functions as a form of amplification. Born in Port-au-Prince and immigrating to the United States during the Civil Rights Movement, Juste developed a sensibility towards community-building at a young age. He began working for the Miami Herald in 1991 and co-founded the Iris Photo Collective in 1998.

His photography covers a large breadth of subject matters, with assignments in Haiti, Cuba, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iraq. More recently, he worked on projects such as the photobook Havana, Haiti: Two Cultures, One Community (2016).

Juste's work in South Florida goes beyond documentation. He's a storyteller and a cultural ambassador for the Haitian American community, working with other artists to bring awareness to diasporic cultures in Miami. When asked about his range, he said, half-joking, "I cover wars, earthquakes, and birthday parties", a testament to his ability to treat local, cultural events with dignity and empathy.

Silvia Ros

Silvia Ros knows form and content. Her work encompasses soaring architecture and significant civic events. Several years ago, Ros began photographing American Legion Post 67 in North Miami. From St. Patrick's Day celebrations, birthday parties, and raffles to a flag retirement ceremony depicted here, Ros portrays the rites and rituals of this gathering space. Founded in 1919 following World War I, the American Legion remains an advocacy organization for veterans. This post and others located throughout the U.S. offer hubs of social activity for veterans, as well as other residents. Through Ros's keen and sensitive lens, the flag retirement ceremony at the American Legion Post 67 exemplifies life at the post and reinforces its emotional and societal impact.

Image caption: Silvia Ros, Flag Retirement Ceremony, from the series Post 67. Digital reproduction, 2018/2019. Installation Photography by Silvia Ros. Courtesy of the artist.