A mobile cobbler

My mother's occupation as a cobbler is the subject of my photographs and sound art. In an effort to immerse my audience in the experiences of her work, the imagery emphasizes the importance of gesture and place while the sound captures the noises of her surroundings. Watching her work has nurtured my respect for her self-sufficiency as a non-traditional laborer. I explore a humbler manifestation of the American dream through my mother's work. Like many less visible independent businesses, my mother's mobile cobbler truck both defies and embraces mass consumerism. People spend lots of money on things, and rather than discarding them when they are in disrepair, they seek my mother's services. Through my photographs I acknowledge her work as she helps other people achieve their own American dreams.