Journey to the American South-East

Before setting foot on this Southern land, my understanding of America mainly came from books, photographs, and word of mouth. However, the real America is far more complex and diverse than I had imagined. As I find myself immersed in the South, the vast fields, remote towns, devoted believers, and those grappling with economic hardship together paint a vivid and multifaceted picture. Within this expansive and tranquil landscape lies an undeniable sense of solitude—a solitude rooted not only in people’s memory and identity tied to history but also in the realities and struggles of their lives.

 

As an observer and outsider, I aim to capture the subtle emotions and details of Southern life through my photography. These images depict leisurely small-town residents, hardworking farmers, abandoned buildings, historic memorials, and the silent rivers. Through my lens, I hope to portray the contradictions of the South: it possesses awe-inspiring natural beauty, yet bears the weight of a heavy historical burden; it holds a wealth of cultural and musical traditions but is also marked by poverty and isolation.

 

My work does not seek to define or explain the South but instead to record and convey what I see through the eyes of an outsider. I hope that these images will prompt reflection on this land, to understand both the past and the present of the South, as well as the complex lives of people on this solitary yet resilient land.