Jessi López
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1985.
Education: BA in Photocommision, St. Edwards University,
Austin, Texas, 2007
The world around us is filled with familiar feelings and exotic locations. Whether across the street or across the globe, familiarity can be found in the smiles and gestures of people who come from backgrounds completely at odds with our own. Yet, it is the expression of kindness and curiosity found on foreign faces that creates a strange feeling of both distance and similarity between any two individuals.
Primarily stemming from
an interest in my own cultural history, at an early age I began exploring.
Exploring other countries, other cultures and other Spanish dialects.
Each experience abroad unexpectedly taught me how similar people are
rather than confirming the abundant differences I expected to find.
Basic instincts, like protectiveness over loved ones and goals such
as the ability to provide for our families are instinctive to humanity
and make relating to one another easier than expected. However, the
differences provide us with the ability to get a unique look into the
day to day life of another culture, as well as a more concrete way of
learning more about our personal values and ways of life in comparison.
With the intent of portraying the beauty and uniqueness of a different
life, I have photographed the amazing city scenes and foreign vistas
I have thus far encountered. I invite viewers to regard these photographs
as a way to understand through comparison, the places and cultures that
exist a world away from their own.
Jessi López
