Portraits of North Korean defectors form the core of Unperson: Portraits of North Korean Defectors, employing intimate and direct photography to explore themes of identity, displacement, and survival in exile. Tim Franco’s approach captures the faces and expressions of individuals who have left one of the most secretive countries in the world, conveying their personal stories through visual presence rather than narrative text.

The work’s mood navigates between resilience and vulnerability, set against minimal backgrounds that focus attention solely on the subjects’ features and emotions. Through 104 pages, the photographs emphasize the complex human condition of defection, providing a rare glimpse into those who often remain invisible in global discourse. The book was published in 2021 by The Magenta Foundation with ISBN 9781926856162.