JOHN THACKWRAY

Photos of millennials’ bedrooms around the world are a peek into global youth culture

John Thackwray, a french and south african commercial photographer & filmmaker has travelled all around the world since 2010, discovering over 1,200 photo collection of young peoples' rooms in the 1980's and the 1990's.

His travels are from Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa capturing rooms of different individuals as he got inspired by an idea from his flatmate in his bedroom in Paris.

Saleh, Human resource officer, 30 years old, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The photography collection project evolved into a visual anthropological study of people.

Whichever city, town, village he visited, he will always find friends, local people, or other to connect with him, build a friendship with them which they will most likely let him into their home and share with him a glimpse of their life and their identity from an elevated vintage authentic point in their most intimate physical space.

Osia, shepherd, 18 years old, Ha Selomo, Lesotho.

“I was starting to think that if I don’t get those shots, no one will see them, because the world is changing really fast,” Thackwray tells Quartz. “I guess in twenty years the photos will be extremely precious.” 

Elahe, painter, 29 year old, Tehran, Iran.

Asha, 17 years old, house wife, Barmansermilya, India.

Joy can be found everywhere, even in such difficult circumstances. I wonder why we, who are so much more well-off, can't find a way to smile like this man sometimes.

I'm trying to do a big story in a small one - John Thackwray 

In his book, "Potrait of a Generation" each image is coupled with an interview about something that shaped the person's life.

A Japanese woman shares her musings about dress codes; an Indian talks about Adoption; An Iranian explains why she embraces traditional values.

"Each person has their own story and they can talk about something that is wider and more universal."

Paris, France, Derek, 30 year old, Movie Director.

Zhambyl, Kazakhstan, Zhalay, 18 year old, High school student

Tokyo, Japan, Ryoko, 25 year old Information Technology Engineer

Paris, France, Joseph, 30 year old artist.