Conceptual nominee

As a mixed-asian individual in America, I wanted to convey, in a series, how I feel my culture leave me every day. It started out with losing the majority of the Korean Language, and it moved on to a disconnection with cultural traditions altogether. I personified the loss of culture into a Ghost. I feel the trace of my culture everywhere I go and I also feel it's absence. I felt this concept was incomplete without the simultaneous aspect of the departure of adolescent and innocence which is inherent in growing up. I took this series of self portraits with a tripod in the hopes of conveying how growing up relates to losing important parts of yourself you took for granted.

I am a 17 year old student based in Los Angeles. I attend Harvard-Westlake Upper School in Studio City. Ever since I got my first camera I've been in love with taking photos and using the medium to convey emotions, experiences and ideas that are important to me. When I'm not taking photographs I love to play tennis, a sport I've been playing for over 11 years. I also enjoy writing poetry and other creative works as well as sing and dance.

Awards
Scholastic's Photography Silver Key
Photograph currently at California State University Northridge