My America, is an examination of what it’s like to live in America as a Black man shown through the process of wet-plate collodion tintypes. Rashod Taylor says of the process, “The wet-plate collodion process dates back to the decade just before the start and end of the Civil War. I use this process to connect the past to the present, and to explore the atrocities of slavery, Jim Crow and the institutional and systematic racism that remains so tightly woven into the fabric of American society.”

My America explores the people and the land extending beyond visual documentation; it extends into the intricate layers of history, memory and human experience. Ossabaw Island, situated off the coast of Georgia, serves as a poignant backdrop for this exploration. Capturing the ethereal beauty of Ossabaw’s landscapes is the surface of my artistic endeavor. Beneath the lush foliage and sweeping vistas lies a profound narrative of struggle and resilience for my ancestors who endured the brutality of enslavement on this very land. I strive to evoke the presence of those who came before me, whose labor and suffering have left indelible imprints on the island’s terrain. I seek to honor the lived experiences of the enslaved individuals who toiled on these planation’s, their stories intertwined with the very soil I stand. Each image becomes a testament to their resilience, humanity, and their enduring connection to the land.