This series explores the rural climate of hostility and fear of the unknown. As encroaching suburban development pushes into the countryside, native species of animals such as White-tailed Deer and Black Bear become objects of resentment.

The same suburban sprawl brings in the strip malls, the big box stores and with them, the undocumented workers whose quiet labors make this American expansion possible.

In upstate New York, I have overheard comments about both the animals and the immigrants, racist slurs which lump together these two disparate groups.  I chose to quote these remarks directly and completely as titles for images drawn from my personal collection of animal skulls. For example, a Black Bear skull is paired with the comment/title “They Eat Garbage.” 

The series is an examination of language, prejudice, racism, fear of the unknown and fear of nature.