“The Pursuit of Happiness” by Nathan B.

Student Artist Statement:

“This type of photography was the hardest to approach. I tried to emulate the style of Hannah Starkey, by having the main subject's back turned in the photos. I also emulated Gregory Crewdson's style by using a desaturated and cooler tone. The story that I am trying to convey is the pursuit of happiness. However, in my photos, the subject always has their back turned, staring into the distance, which makes the viewer feel a sense of longing from the subject. The series take place through a few locations, one being at home and a few being out in spaces where people would deem "beautiful" or "peaceful". In the series, the subject never finds their happiness, despite being in the comfort of their own home or in beautiful landscapes. This is reinforced by the desaturated colors, which emulates emptiness and loneliness instead of being vibrant. The main theme of the series is no matter where you are, you have to search for happiness within.”