Photographer Yu-Chen Chiu is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this photo essay. From the project ‘AMERICA SEEN’. To see Yu-Chen’s body of work, click on any image.

AMERICA SEEN is a visual poem about the social landscape of the United States during the Trump era.

It linked to me receiving my U.S. GreenCard in 2015, and my work was born out of what America means to me and what is the American Dream. In a time of political unrest and uncertainty about the future, issues of race, patriotism, and violence made me take a closer look at my second home. Through my explorations of the land, stark contrasts came to life, and are striking for me who grew up in Taiwan, a country that is ethnically similar with a collectivist culture. The differences between the everyday souls I encountered on my journey were just as stark: from the happy dreamers to the lonely wanderers. Through photography, I realized my curiosity about the country is the reflection of its identity. While looking for the All-American scenes, I am searching for my own memories of Taiwan.

AMERICA SEEN is not meant only as a self-exploration of the U.S, but to capture the history. Through my outsider’s lens, the audience can come along and see how divided emotions blend together in search of the American Dream.