American Byways

AMERICAN BYWAYS – THE SPONTANEOUS FACE(S) OF THE LAND As a child growing up in post-war Korea, American culture was very dominant due to the ongoing presence of American troops, music, movies and books. The English language was pervasive in the schools and in contemporary pop art. I absorbed a certain view and understanding of American culture, but after moving to the States I’ve had an opportunity to discover the other many facets of the country. I've come to realize that America is as diverse as any great continent, but made up by the people of all other nationalities. My viewfinder is a window into America’s multi-ethnic conflicts and the effervescent creativity that keeps things fascinating. Of course there are the wide-open spaces and Big Sky country, as well as the teeming urban metropolis and underground. While this project includes some of that, perhaps more compelling for me is the collection of faces of everyday people in their struggles to survive; innocent and brimming with youthful exuberance; lost and forgotten, indifferent to life teaming around them; or enjoying their family moment – this is all American Byways for me. Around every corner there’s something else to discover that belongs to and can only be found in America.