Immigration Series

The project* follows a series of young adults who have had intense immigration experiences. The project focuses on themes such as loss of identity, memories, homesickness, trauma, uncomfortability, mental health, feelings of being an outsider, cultural collision, hope, aspirations, yearnings, and growth. 



The project* presents the stories of Yaroslava, Brennus, and Erika. These young adults have unique immigration experiences, each from a different county. However, when comparing stories there is much overlap in the emotional fatigue and discomfort each person felt.  They were interviewed in their homes and photographed on 35mm and large format film. The images were then printed and intervened /altered  in the darkroom with reticulation, blurring effects, layering of glass, water manipulation, and the addition of mixed media such as string. The shapes, textures, abstractions, and ambiguity created from the manipulation embellishes the emotions described, and highlights specific parts of each person’s story. 

This project was created with the intention to break the passivity of the spectator. The goal is to initiate conversions through illustrating the hardships many immigrants experience, and break down the negative stigmas associated with immigration. This project is a call for compassion, empathy, aid, appreciation, alliance, and collaboration.