Hidden Identities Unfinished is a display of photographs by Yvonne de Rosa, which give an insight into the lives of children and families living in adverse conditions in Bosnia and Romania. The 14 photographs are the result of a collaboration with Hope and Homes for Children, an international charity that works to prevent the breakdown of families and to ensure children grow up in a loving environment. Hidden Identities Unfinished opens at the V&A Museum of Childhood on 20 December and runs until 28 June 2015.

The project reflects on the reality of life for some of the poorest people in Europe, and attempts to transform them from having “hidden identities” to being respected and recognised human beings. De Rosa was invited by Hope and Homes for Children founder Mark Cook to meet some of the people he was working with, and her photographs document this experience. Hope and Homes for Children works with communities in Central and Eastern Europe and Africa, to move children out of institutions into familybased care and help keep together families who are at risk of breakdown due to the pressures of poverty, disease or conflict.

“I believe in the importance of the family unit to build a happy and healthy life. The people I met were amazing, but living in terrible conditions, fighting every day for their survival.” – Yvonne de Rosa The photographs from this project are collected in the book ‘Hidden Identities. Unfinished’, published by Damiani Editore, with an introduction by Sam Taylor Wood.

“Hidden Identities Unfinished powerfully demonstrates the strength of character the children have developed. Their sense of personal pride, community spirit and human kindness is to be celebrated and respected.” – Sam Taylor Wood, director and artist