The combination of frontal and reverse portraits allowed for the development of both personal and universal stories. The children are presented as individuals; however, their stories speak to greater pervasive truths and problems within our society. Told in their own words, their stories touch on some of our most pressing social issues and common human experiences.
A notable commonality across all schools was that every group of fourth-graders had little contact with or knowledge of people from cultural or socioeconomic backgrounds different than their own. By bringing disparate cultures together in the same room, on the same wall, side by side, I send two vital, accurate messages: all of these cultures are different but equally valuable; and all of these cultures are alike in essential ways.
All images © of the artist