Alana Burke

I am not sure I would describe myself as an artist. I would say I am a storyteller. In that pursuit, I primarily use photographs and words to get my message across. I started with photography when I was in middle school. My parents bought me a camera for my birthday (maybe I asked for it or expressed interest in photography). I don’t think I was very good at it — I was just OK. I recently got back into photography after taking an art class over the summer while working at a farm. I’ve also gotten into writing poetry fairly recently. I started writing little by little and I found that it helped me to sort through my feelings and express the things I was going through. Then, I started making collages with the pictures I was taking to enhance or bring to life the story I was telling. I’ve found that most of the stories I gravitate toward examine my history and my everyday life. Focusing on those topics helps me to look around at my surroundings and think about how I got here. And here I am. I made this piece during a moment when I felt like I was unsure of who I was and what I wanted. I was holding my breath for the moment I was able to piece that together. Working on this piece, I reflected on my family’s history (specifically, the different stories of my maternal and paternal families), the people who have played an influential role in my life, the ways in which my environments shaped me, the different phases of my life and how I have evolved as a person. People say we have to look back to look forward, and looking back at my life has definitely allowed me to exhale, let go of my fears, and confidently move forward. The art I create is essential to who I am. Like I said before, the pieces I create reflect the truth of my life, my family, my experiences. When I was younger, I always took pictures of my neighborhood, my family, even the physical spaces in my house — things I didn’t want to forget. Now, I’m focusing on myself more than before. I’m telling my story, and naturally that of my family, and I’m trying to be intentional about the stories I tell and the people I portray. Going forward I’m continuing this — I’m working on a cookbook that I really hope resonates with people and brings them joy.