Artist Statement: Pandemic: Year One

In the crucible of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world was irrevocably changed. Rather than staying home, quarantining, I had to get out and see how my community was dealing with the global crisis. So, I took to the streets of East Charlotte, to document how people were living. With camera in hand, I recorded images of privilege and hardships. I witnessed the juxtaposition of differing views and observed empty spaces. The images that came out of that experience led to my publishing my first photo zine, Privilege: East Charlotte During COVID-19. Based on that project, in the Fall of 2023, OBRA Collective Gallery hosted my solo exhibit, Pandemic: Year One.

Pandemic: Year One, serves as a visual chronicle of life in East Charlotte, North Carolina, during that tumultuous first year. Through the lens of my camera, I bear witness to the stories of the often-unsung heroes, the everyday struggles, and the poignant moments that defined this period.

Within this exhibit, themes of inequity, privilege, and oppression emerge starkly. Through the juxtaposition of essential workers, black lives in crisis, and those demanding a return to normalcy, I aim to provoke reflection on societal disparities laid bare by the pandemic. The photographs become a mirror reflecting not only the stark contrasts in experiences but also the underlying structures that perpetuate them.

As an artist, my mission is to spark vital conversations about privilege, immigration, racism, nationalism, colorism, classism, and identity. Each image is a catalyst for discourse, a call to action for understanding, empathy, and change. Through these visual narratives, I give voice to the marginalized, offering a platform for their stories to be heard amidst the cacophony of the pandemic's challenges.

In "Pandemic: Year One," my camera becomes a bridge between worlds, a conduit for empathy and insight. This exhibit serves as a collective memory, a testament to resilience, and a testament to the shared human experience during a time of profound upheaval. Through photography, we confront the inequities that persist and, together, we navigate the path toward a more just and compassionate world.

I invite viewers to engage deeply with these images, to ponder the emotions they evoke, and to join in the dialogue they inspire. In doing so, we move closer to understanding and addressing the complex issues that defined our lives during the pandemic's first year.