Workers of The Paradise

Workers of the Paradise is a photographic homage to the often-overlooked tourism workers in Bali, who form the backbone of the island's thriving economy.

Workers of the Paradise is a photographic homage to the tourism workers in Bali. Through a series of environmental portraits, this project aims to solely elevate their vital role as the backbone of the island’s economy, and the fragility of the tourism industry they sustain. This project aspires to challenge the global narrative and collective stereotype of Bali which often consists of images of the perfect Mooi Indie landscapes and tourist attractions to the workers who are pillars that make the island “paradise”.

More than fifty percent of Bali's economy directly relies on the tourism sector, contributing half of Indonesia’s tourism income, totaling US$10 billion annually. In 2019, the island attracted over six million foreign tourists and ten million Indonesian visitors.

Since Bali reopened for international tourists in 2023, there has been a rise in instances of disrespectful behavior, such as nudity at sacred mountains and holy sites, reckless driving, and illegal work on tourist visas, increasing tensions between tourists and locals. By living in this island for seven years, I witnessed these issues on a day-to-day basis.

This project was started in 2022 during the pandemic when most of these workers were struggling to make ends meet. I have photographed more than thirty of the workers, and this project aims to expand globally to other places in which highly dependent on tourism. I believe they share the same story of struggle, in the industry that are a prosperous ground of neo-colonialism.