Photo Essays

Kensington Cookbook Community Profiles (2022)

A Visual Essay Profiles exploring the vibrancy of Food Culture in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia.

"What other cornerstore in Kensington orders fresh Amoroso rolls every day?"

Food as convenice
Food as access

This is an ode to a cornerstore, the bodega, the neighborhood market, the community deli, the stop and shop, the minimarket, the convenience store.
Meet Kip, and his staff from Martin's Deli at 2764 Kensington Ave.

This staple in the neighborhood has been there since the 40s. And Kip's family has owned it for 30 years, and he has been running it for 12 years.

A pounder of Colt .45
A menu of hoagies
A can of Days' Ginger Ale
Tastycake Kandy Kakes
Fuego Takis
A week-old red onion
Sweet Aromatic Backwoods Cigars
Can of Goya black beans

This is what the community has access to. This is is what the community wants, needs, seeks. This is the bedrock of Kensington. Martin’s Deli, has been a meeting spot for those needing some relief from the world, friends meeting up and hanging out. Looking out for each other, looking out for the business. When Kip sees someone struggling to pay for their items or in need, he will cover their bill or give them a free sandwich. Kip prides himself on not cutting corners and serving fresh ingredients, and takes care in making any of their menu items.

The Turkey and Cheese Hoagie
Fresh Amoroso rolls ("What other cornerstore in Kensington orders fresh Amoroso rolls every day?"
A schmear of mayo
Lettuce, Tomatoes
Fresh Dietz and Watson turkeyWhite American cheese
Salt, pepper, Oregano

Simple, classic, humble, untouched from time. Kip envisions a time where he can stock his store with more organic items, and craft beers, and maybe update the menu, but he knows his customers, and is happy to provide accessible food and drink for folks. In a constantly changing community, with development exponentially increasing, a bedrock and staple that meets the needs to those around is essential.

The images and story is a part of and you will know its done when the oil stops bubbling, a series of performative installations and recipe stories looking at the impact of food on the greater Kensington community. The photos and story were approved to be shared by the participants.

To see the profiles, click here

By The Pound (2021)

A Visual Essay Exploring the People and Places Making BBQ in Western and Central North Carolina

Places Featured:

Red Bridges BBQ (Shelby, NC)

Doc Brown's BBQ (Candler, NC)

Bear's Smokehouse (Asheville, NC)

Bobbee O's BBQ (Charlotte, NC)

To See the Full Essay, Click here

Fight Songs (2020)

This is a series of photo essays looking at the role football plays on college campuses and in cities throughout the country.

A combination of poetry, photo, audio, and videos looking at the complex traditions of celebrations of football, tailgates, and the surrounding environments.

Sports bring various peoples, communities, and cities together to cheer on their favorite team. Sports can also separate those very same groups, and the nation itself in championship games. Sport is inherently combative: team vs. team, player vs. player. This versus mentality finds its way on and off the field. What do sports symbolize for our society? We live in a country where divide and isolation is abundant and continues to further rift. Sports has the capacity to bring unlike-minded individuals together. What can the gestures, moves, routines, and plays unlock in daily life? In cities, towns and college campus rich with sports history- fanaticism runs deep. But can a fanbase go too far, and where do we draw the line regarding celebration versus destruction? How can a sport impact a player, a fan, a neighborhood, a city?

All of the images have been photographed by artist Mike Durkin. All images and those featured in the photography and video have given consent to be featured on this blog.