Martin Roemers, a Dutch photographer, spent years driving through 22 countries from the U.S. to Senegal and India. He captured how cars reveal identity for people everywhere. His project, called Homo Mobilis, shows vehicles as more than transport. They mirror culture, society, and who we are. Roemers wanted to know why certain cars fit certain places. He chased that question across continents.
Key Takeaways
- Roemers visited 22 countries including the U.S., Senegal, and India for his Homo Mobilis project.
- The work explores how vehicles connect to personal and cultural identity.
- His photos appear in collections like the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.
- Roemers has won two World Press Photo Awards for past projects.
Background
Roemers builds projects around big changes in society. He focuses on the human side. Homo Mobilis came from his interest in movement and machines. People rely on cars, trucks, bikes, and more every day. But these things shape us back. They say something about where we're from. And where we're going.
He started this work after years of other projects. One looked at cold war relics. Another at city life in places like Mumbai. Those efforts took him to museums and galleries worldwide. His photos hang in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The Wende Museum in Los Angeles holds some too. MAST in Bologna displays his industry shots. The Getty Research Institute keeps his archives.
Roemers published books before. Metropolis covers urban growth. Relics of the Cold War shows old sites from that era. Awards came his way. Two World Press Photo honors. LensCulture gave him a street photography prize. Daylight awards picked his work too.
But Homo Mobilis stands apart. It's about motion. About how we get around. And what that says. He drove. He walked. He watched. In each country, vehicles told stories. A beat-up truck in Senegal. A shiny sedan in the U.S. An auto-rickshaw in India. Each one fits its owner like a glove.
Key Details
Roemers hit 22 spots. The U.S. got early attention. Big trucks there. Pickups dominate rural roads. City streets fill with SUVs. Why? Space. Status. The open road calls.
Senegal brought dust and determination. Old Peugeots rumble on rough paths. They're tough. They last. Owners patch them up. Keep them running. No room for new ones. But pride shines through.
India buzzed with chaos. Bikes weave. Taxis honk. Families pile on scooters. Five on one bike. Normal there. Cars squeeze through crowds. Horns never stop. Vehicles adapt to the crush.
Roemers' Process
He'd park. Watch. Talk. Then shoot. Not just the car. The owner too. How they stand by it. Clean it. Fix it. Drive it.
"Vehicles tell us about culture, society, and identity," Roemers said. "They're part of who we are."
His shots fill a book. Lannoo Publishers put it out. Galleries show it now. People see patterns. Rich countries favor luxury. Poor ones value endurance. But everywhere, cars bond with owners.
Roemers logged miles. Borders crossed. Languages changed. But the theme held. In Europe, small cars save fuel. In Africa, shared taxis carry groups. In Asia, two-wheelers rule traffic. Each choice reflects needs. Money. Roads. Habits.
He noted details. Mud on tires in wet lands. Polish on chrome in dry ones. Stickers on bumpers. Tools in trunks. Kids' seats or cargo racks. All clues.
Past work helped. Metropolis captured sprawl. Mega-cities like Mexico or Mumbai. Traffic jams there mirror Homo Mobilis. Same crush. Same reliance.
For more on electric vehicles reshaping luxury, check this Cadillac Escalade story. And Rivian's recent update fits the trend of car evolution, as seen here.
What This Means
Cars shape lives. They decide where you go. How fast. With whom. In the U.S., trucks signal independence. Buy one. Haul stuff. Tow boats. Feel free.
Senegal's rides mean survival. Fix one. Drive loads. Feed family. No car? No work.
India's mix shows ingenuity. Turn a scooter into a truck. Stack goods high. Beat the gridlock.
This project pushes us to look closer. Your car. Neighbor's. Stranger's. Each tells a tale. Status? Yes. But more. Practical needs. Family size. Job demands.
Climate talks tie in. Big engines guzzle gas. Small ones sip it. Electric shifts coming. Will identities change? Roemers hints yes. New power. New status.
Societies evolve. Roads improve. Money flows. Cars follow. But bonds stay. Person and machine. Locked together.
Exhibits spread the word. Daegu in Korea. Paraty in Brazil. New Delhi before. Eyes open. Conversations start.
Books sell. Homo Mobilis draws fans. Past ones did too. Metropolis flew off shelves. Cold War relics too.
Awards boost reach. World Press nods. LensCulture wins. Museums buy prints.
People rethink rides. Maybe downsize. Go electric. Or cling to old trucks. Identity pulls hard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries did Roemers visit for Homo Mobilis?
Twenty-two. From North America to Africa and Asia.
What other projects has Roemers done?
Metropolis on city growth. Relics of the Cold War on old sites. Both won awards and fill museum walls.
Where can you see his work?
Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Wende Museum in Los Angeles. MAST in Bologna. Many more spots worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries did Roemers visit for Homo Mobilis?
Twenty-two. From North America to Africa and Asia.
What other projects has Roemers done?
Metropolis on city growth. Relics of the Cold War on old sites. Both won awards and fill museum walls.
Where can you see his work?
Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Wende Museum in Los Angeles. MAST in Bologna. Many more spots worldwide.
