Paradise Road

2013–present

Defining the essence of paradise is elusive, with no clear, universal definition. In American culture the belief persists that through one's own efforts a personal paradise can be achieved: the American Dream. But does that paradigm exist? And if so, what might it look like, particularly at a time of cultural volatility, political division, and a record wealth gap?

While mapping, traveling, and photographing Paradise Roads located across the United States, my aim is to build a typology of place that visually articulates how Americans’ sense of identity and inherent optimism can manifest in the landscape and to produce a metaphorical survey of American happiness, security, sanctuary, longing, and sometimes, defeat in this particular changing and imbalanced time.