Everyone knows that a teenager’s bedroom is a sacred place. A 'Do Not Enter' room of one’s own to escape the family confines; a shrine to individualism and the rebellion of youth! It’s also a space that not many are ever privy too — discounting your nosy little sister. But this wasn’t the case for photographer, John Thackwray, whose ‘My Room’ project unveiled teen’s sanctuaries from around the globe — from Iran all the way to Japan.
Room 256: Ryoko, 25, in Tokyo
The South African filmmaker and photographer – who began
in 2010 – travelled to over 55 countries taking aerial photos of his subject’s in the intimate setting of their own bedroom. Starting in Paris, John first photographed his own friends, but soon the numbers of participants grew and he began travelling all over the world for the project. And to date he has captured over 1,200 subjects, offering an astonishing peak into the mysterious world of teens from all different cultures.
Room 219: Maleeq, 29, in New York
Room 385: Pema, 22, in Katmandu, Nepal
'I was curious about lifestyle and culture - about how people of my age were living and how the world is mutating,’ Thackwray told the MailOnline Travel.
'I also feel that many people always confuse comfort and happiness, because I've see more smiles in poor countries and much more depression in developed countries.'
Through the lengthy process of his six-year project – and having experienced a mishmash of lifestyles and cultures – the photographer recognised one continuous theme linking the photo mosaic together. You’ve probably already guessed it: the internet.
'Most of them share an access to Internet and social network, including Saudi young women and farmers in the African bush.
'This is definitely the connected generation.’
All photos credited: John Thackwray.
You can pre-order the 'My Room' photobook here and learn more about his project over on
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.