Resilient

Alaska. Towering glaciers, noble peaks, enchanting flora and plentiful fauna — all of these have been rendered in the idyllic perfection of a trillion photographs over the years. Captured in the silver grains and digital pixels that shape our collective memories, these representations often fall short of truly conveying what Alaska is — they fail to define what Alaska means to Alaskans.

Shaped by their surroundings, Alaskans are a curious bunch, often taking pride in character traits that, to the outsider, seem unflattering. Old timers take pride in their tenacious and stubborn nature by being called Sourdoughs, while newcomers are harshly mocked for their failures, yet strangely encouraged to persevere. Our jargon-laden existence divides real Alaska (The Bush) from a more pedestrian lifestyle in the Lower 48 (the contiguous US). Our Breakup relates to a fifth season before Spring and Termination Dust signals the onset of winter. A people of few words, Alaskans often rely on a single word to define a myriad of complex thoughts, emotions and acts.

Summed up in one word, Alaskans are resilient. A product of our harsh climes, we have been shaped by our surroundings and carry with us a stoic nature that is reflected in the place we call home. For many of its people, Alaska’s lonely landscapes, unwelcoming frigid tundra and tumultuous winter weather reflects its true beauty in a way no sublimely captured landscape could. This work intends to capture that deep connection and our unwavering character traits through our surroundings, showing a rarefied Alaska for Alaskans.

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