HANNAH SOMERS

TRACING ETHNICITY

I am investigating my identity through the way people see me and how I see myself as a person of mixed ethnicity in an attempt to contribute a first-person account to the discussion of racial identity. For many years, I've been asking myself how I identify as an individual of mixed ethnicity and pondering over comments made about my appearance. When asking myself how I fit into my varying cultural backgrounds, I wonder whether I have rights to their histories and traditions. Through the series of images I've created, I contextualize my search for identity by dissecting different features of my appearance. I have photographed the parts of my body that I feel connect me to my black heritage and the parts that might cause others to question my identity. 

I am investigating my identity through the way people see me and how I see myself as a person of mixed ethnicity in an attempt to contribute a first-person account to the discussion of racial identity. For many years, I've been asking myself how I identify as an individual of mixed ethnicity and pondering over comments made about my appearance. When asking myself how I fit into my varying cultural backgrounds, I wonder whether I have rights to their histories and traditions. Through the series of images I've created, I contextualize my search for identity by dissecting different features of my appearance. I have photographed the parts of my body that I feel connect me to my black heritage and the parts that might cause others to question my identity. 

Mums Hair, 2018, chromogenic print, 20"x20"

Down and Bust, 2018, chromogenic print, 20”x20”

Back, 2018, chromogenic print, 20"x20"

Afro Pick and Bust, 2018, chromogenic print, 20”x 20” 

Braid and Bust, 2018, chromogenic print, 20"x20"

Breasts, 2018, chromogenic print, 20”x 20”

Elbows, 2018, chromogenic print, 20”x 20”

Bun and Bust, 2018, chromogenic print, 20”x 20”

Feet, 2018, chromogenic print, 20”x 20”

Body, 2018, chromogenic print, 20”x 20”

Head Wrap and Bust, 2018, Chromogenic print, 20”x 20”

Knees, 2018, chromogenic print, 20”x 20”

Hands, 2018, chromogenic print, 20”x 20”

Mums Hands, 2018, chromogenic print, 20”x 20”

Using Format