Immigrant Song — Diptychs

I began Immigrant Song in the aftermath of Donald Trump's election as President of the United States. The result stirred anger and anxiety in me and among those around me, particularly in response to political rhetoric portraying immigrants as a threat. I felt compelled to respond. I wanted to make these women and men visible and affirm their presence.

Drawing on my 4stones project, I invited immigrants from my New York community to take part.

Each diptych pairs a participant's portrait with a photograph of the composition they created using four pebbles. Together, they form a double portrait, both figurative and abstract: one reveals a face, the other a personal composition, a form of self-expression through gesture.

I photograph the portraits with a Holga plastic lens. Its lack of sharpness helps visually convey the loss of identity that can accompany immigration.

To make the prints, I use an alternative photographic process to transfer the images directly onto watercolor paper. The paper's texture and the irregularities of the transfer make each print unique.