Advisor: Patricia Maurides

Artist Statement: Different, But Same

Many social conflicts exist because of the definition of “Mainstream” and “Non-mainstream.” Stereotypes lead to a perception that non-mainstream groups always represent “wrong” and “less capable”; Therefore, minorities are treated unequally. We often forget that everyone is unique. In other words, a person can belong to more than one minority group – as well as to both minority and majority, depending on how they are defined.

My work focuses on individual characteristics. I interviewed eight people, myself included, who have different backgrounds and have been treated differently because of their minority identity. After sharing the experiences, the interviewees found three keywords of themself. And I designed the portrait through keywords.
Through this series of portrait photographs, I hope my audiences could think about a couple of things:

* Are you belonging to any minority group?
* If the answer is YES, how would you like to be treated?
* If the answer is NO, how will you treat others in the future?

There is no standard answer because we are all different, we are all the same.

I named every picture according to the keywords the interviewees chose. In order to protect the privacy of the interviewees, I am not going to disclose their minority identity in these works. All quotations are from the exact words in the interview.

Title: Split (Self-Portrait), Date: 2021, Dimensions: 1080 x 1920 px, Mediums: digital photography

“I wasn’t changed at all. The only difference is whether you know the truth.”

Title: Mind Your Business, Date: 2021, Dimensions: 1080 x 1920 px, Mediums: digital photography

“Being in your business, and I will be in mine.”

Title: Freedom, Date: 2021, Dimensions: 1080 x 1920 px, Mediums: digital photography

“I can’t be myself. I can’t express myself.”

Title: Flags, Date: 2021, Dimensions: 1080 x 1920 px, Mediums: digital photography

“You deserve to be proud of.”

Title: That Is My Body, Date: 2021, Dimensions: 1080 x 1920 px, Mediums: digital photography

“Don’t define what a girl should be.”

Title: Masks, Date: 2021, Dimensions: 1080 x 1920 px, Mediums: digital photography

“I am being positive with people because I don’t want people to feel the way that I sometimes have felt.

Title: My Passion, Date: 2021, Dimensions: 1080 x 1920 px, Mediums: digital photography

“I just want to be treated like a normal person.”

Title: Fulfilling, Date: 2021, Dimensions: 1080 x 1920 px, Mediums: digital photography

“I have no regrets, so here I am.”