Dreamer, KangHee Kim

"Dreamer consists of images from my on going project called Street Errands which started in 2016. Street Errands is a series of collaged photographs that merge street scenes from New York and places I’ve traveled throughout the country. They start from mundane encounters on everyday errands in New York, and by manipulating these images I construct my own form of surreal escapism. The manipulation of these scenes introduces infinite possibility, free from the limits or restraints of real life.

I cannot travel abroad due to the restriction of my VISA status. I am protected under DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) but I am unable to leave the United States if I want to return. I haven’t been able to go back to South Korea for over ten years. I build layers of mundane images or modify the original photographs to transform them into new spaces that become visions beyond everyday experience. My work grew out of wanting to appreciate all that I have, rather than fixating on my restrictions. Creating surrealistic or fictional images with the photographs I take daily helps liberate me from the complications of my situation." (Words by KangHee Kim)