Preview
Creation Date
2012
Description
Materials: Inkjet print
Dimensions: 16" x 20"
Project Advisors: Julie Lindemann and John Shimon
Year of Graduation: 2012
Medium
Photography
Rights
Copyright for this work is held by the artist.
Keywords
Photography, Value of Money, Financial Success, Appleton, Wisconsin, New York City, Lawrence Trustees, Bronx High School Students
Artist Statement
The Value of Money
Countless individuals have written books evaluating how people make money and achieve financial success. Through my work, I have found complex human stories that go beyond what these books express.
My images depict individuals from the Appleton, Wisconsin and New York City areas. I focused on photographing people in four stages of their lives. Through Housing Partnership of the Fox Cities I gained access to a community outside of the university. I returned to my high school in the Bronx to photograph students there. I turned to my peers here at Lawrence to gain insight into undergraduate’s lifestyle. I connected with university trustees too. As part of my process, I asked each individual where they would like to be photographed and how they would like to pose. For the interview portion I ask each the question “What does the value of money mean to you?” Based on their response and comfort level I may ask more questions and then write captions for each image based on their response.
Our society has classified individuals in different economic classes. Based on an individual’s socio-economic class, many assume that there is a collective mindset as to how certain types of people view the world around them. However, based on my research and interviews, I have learned that these concepts explicating the value of money within our society can only be taken at surface value.
This work was funded in part by a Mellon Senior Experience Grant.