Corey

I went to art school at a time when dressing “alternatively“ symbolized a radical, punk, rebellious or at least liberal viewpoint of the world. Today, it’s equal opportunity for alternative fashion. It’s no longer the visual hallmark of liberal as opposed to conservative young people. I’ve noticed that people of all political stripes—including those who hated Biden and loved Trump—sometimes wear all manner of alternative jewelry, piercings and unusually colored hair. Young Republicans might be sexually free and ambiguous cannabis smokers and drug users and may not necessarily appear as the uptight, buttoned-up Christian, preppie or jock. In recent years, John Lydon, formerly Johnny Rotten of the punk rock band the Sex Pistols, famously cozied up to our current president, defending him as a champion of the working class and people of color. In an increasingly conservative America, I see alternative fashion and gear dissolve in potency and lose all meaning. Yet people on all sides continue to stereotype left-leaning young people as purple-haired communists. People can hide their real, more vulnerable selves behind an edgy look and use it to project rage, personal power or boldness—not necessarily ideology. I shot many images of Corey on my roof late on a cool June day. This relaxed and casual image most appealed to me. His soft and gentle smile lends a whimsical contrast to the metal piercings in his lower lip, ears and tongue.