Artist's Statement

Shun Jie Yong

For my series “Occupations" I document the personal stories of ordinary immigrants and refugees, to honor them and give them visibility in their new homeland. My investigative portraiture allows me to understand how immigrants and refugees fit into contemporary society and contribute to those new places that they call home. By engaging with these subjects, I have discovered my own role and identity in the United States and my country of origin, Malaysia.