In this series, I utilize photographs from my family archive to shed light on the privilege of nostalgia, specifically through the lens of gender oppression. Romanticizing "the good old days” plays into escapism, as it neglects the reality those who have been historically persecuted. By cropping out the faces of those pictured, the focus of these images shift from the individual subjects to their actions and body language. Power dynamics appear in the form of fitted suits to a firm grasp, acts of intimidation and control. In order to understand how oppression continues to be imposed, it is critical to first recognize one’s own relationship to its history. Who are “the good old days” good for?

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Archival pigment prints

2019