The 38th Parallel

My photo scholarship 2010 entry

USA | Tuesday, October 19, 2010 | 5 photos

Hello! My name is Sue Rissberger and the World Nomads Travel Photography Scholarship would provide me with an opportunity to learn field photography while developing the skills to contribute socially-conscious photographs to the global community. Having been adopted from South Korea as an infant, and identified as an Asian-American, I am invested in understanding the relationship between my subject, and their culture. My photographic angle is to explore the roots of cultures, ethnic minorities and communities in conflict from an anthropological standpoint – I want my photography to represent more than an expression of art by acting as an agent of social change, encouraging cooperative dialogue and civil action.

I received a BA in psychology and sociology and believe my previous humanities studies will complement my professional goals in Visual Anthropology. I am driven to the person, their story and their environment, and the World Nomads Travel Photography Scholarship would help support and nurture my vision.

My submission represents my involvement in human rights and social justice which began 6 years ago as a volunteer in America, Ireland, Thailand and Korea. My most recent experience abroad took me as a tourist to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) where I traveled as close and safely as possible to the 38th parallel – the dividing line separating North and South Korea. The opportunity to view the most guarded border in the world piqued my interest, as an advocate for human rights and as an individual with an irrepressible drive for social change. This photo series looks at the DMZ as a place where one has no identity, or access to rights are stripped. I hope these images engage you to stop and look, and lead you to inquire what lays beyond this place where faces, much like the country's culture, is left imperceptible.