Super America: An Artist Statement
In "Super America," I document a journey across the continental United States, capturing moments that reflect both the mundane and the extraordinary aspects of American life. These photographs, shot on film during a coast-to-coast road trip, offer glimpses into the diverse landscapes, everyday scenes, and quiet corners of America that often go unnoticed.
The collection explores the tension between natural and built environments—from the preserved specimens in glass jars and the majestic bison in a forest, to convenience stores, airport tarmacs, and industrial landscapes. Each image serves as a fragment of a larger narrative about American identity, consumption, and our relationship with both wilderness and urban development.
My approach deliberately embraces the aesthetic qualities of film photography, with its distinctive color palette and grain that evoke a sense of nostalgia while simultaneously documenting present-day America. The title "Super America" references both the gas station chain seen in one image and serves as an ironic commentary on American exceptionalism—presenting America not through spectacular monuments or iconic landscapes, but through ordinary moments and overlooked spaces.
These photographs invite viewers to consider what constitutes the "American experience" by presenting subjects ranging from children playing sports and roadside rest stops to the remnants of industry and commerce. The collection does not aim to provide a definitive portrait of America, but rather offers a personal visual journal of traversing the country—capturing the poetry in everyday American life while acknowledging its complexities and contradictions.
