What is or isn’t beyond the tourist’s view?

This diptych project represents the exploration of a visitor’s perspective in Chicago’s Chinatown.

The concept of being a guest in this space is an important notion to be mindful of while exploring new communities as an artist. The project investigates the role of the photographer, seeking out new perspectives, and what that means for the work itself.

Chinatown is sometimes presented as a tourist oriented area, with dizzying storefronts and delicious food, but it very much remains a neighborhood where generations of Chinese American families have lived in order to preserve their culture These images explore such notions and remind us that there is much more to a place than a few snapshots can attempt to provide.