Caught Between Two Worlds

Portfolio was selected as a 2025 YoungArts Winner

The American Dream. Perhaps the one aspect of America that has remained a key tenet of society since its inception, seeping into private and public culture - most broadly in the quintessential suburbia- a symbol of the middle class, hard work, and prosperity. Yet, over the past century, the face of this dream has transformed as immigrants from across the globe have reshaped its meaning, infusing it with their cultural heritage, values, and traditions. This portfolio explores the evolving narrative of the American Dream through the lens of the Indian diaspora in American suburbia. 

In the average quiet neighborhood, one might expect to see kids biking down the cul-de-sac, a dad mowing the lawn, or perhaps a Sunday Barbeque. In the suburbs of Texas, however, the subtle yet distinctive marks of a new culture - the Indian diaspora - make themselves at home in a way that completely transforms the land into a unique community. A Hindu temple nestled between cookie-cutter houses, a Diwali statue burning in the backyard, or maybe a vibrant Indian market coexisting with a mega grocery store. These juxtapositions create a unique visual narrative - one that speaks to the adaptability of both the American Dream and immigrant identity.

I seek almost ironic juxtapositions of ancient, enriched Indian culture in the stereotypical, highly Western suburbia in a Wes-Anderson-style framing. This portfolio reflects not just the physical presence of Indian culture in suburban America but also the psychological space where first-generation children of immigrants live—caught between two worlds.