Artist
Teresa Jones
Project Note(s)
Diptychs on fine art paper – set of 4
Artist Statement
Deep poverty is defined as having income below half the federal poverty level, but often times it’s not just a matter of dollars. Poverty has a direct effect on a person’s socioeconomic status, long-term physical and emotional health.
According to the United States Census 43, 1 million Americans live below the poverty line. There are 18.5 million people that live in deep poverty here in America, the richest country in the world. These images are a vital representation of the deep poverty both in Urban Ohio and Appalachia. I chose to create them because I was born into and raised in poverty for 18 years and want to help tell the story of the people living in these areas around the world.
I can walk down the sidewalk in an impoverished urban city or a dirt road in the rural country areas; lock eyes with a stranger and receive a subtle head nod. It is more than just a simple greeting; it is a subtle acknowledgement of “I can relate.” I can relate to the burden, the struggle and the hardship of trying to navigate the daily obstacles to escape such a daunting environment. Poverty.
Biography
My name is Teresa Jones. I am the mother of two amazing young men. I am a novice photographer and a student of photography, learning portfolio project building. I have been learning photography for a little over a year. I enjoy portrait, abstract and nature photography.
