Vietnam Veterans Studio

⁣⁣I’ve been chipping away at a long term and very personal photography project for a few years now. I meet American Vietnam War Veterans through friends in the USA. I ask them to join me at a local ambient light studio. We shoot a diptych of images and talk about their experiences. ⁣⁣⁣⁣The two images vary person to person. I’m always drawn more to the combat veterans for personal reasons and I ask those individuals if they would like to take part in the second part of the project, a home visit and a triptych with a small interview. See the next series to continue.

⁣⁣⁣⁣It’s emotionally challenging for all and the encounters are often tough but It feels important and I’m drawn to do it…for many, many reasons. Huge questions of morality and ethics arise and form part of constant ongoing discussions. How and who to shoot? How to represent a deeply divisive and complicated war through the complex personal experiences of those who fought it? How the experience of Vietnam impacted lives for decades after it ended. The questions evolve and change with each sitter. ⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣It’s final message and final outcome is still unknown - this is a voyage of learning and discovery - and I continue to discuss it with my veteran sitters and other people. In the meantime I carry on diligently…as best as I can, when I can, self funded and self motivated. Clarity will prevail in the end…but for now I just document. I want to learn and try to understand. ⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣Presented are a few veterans from shoots between 2017-2019. I thank them deeply for their honesty, their time and their commitment to the project.⁣⁣⁣⁣

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