North Philadelphia

North Philadelphia explores the layered history and complex realities of a community shaped by systemic neglect yet resilient in spirit.

Growing up in Center City Philadelphia in the 1970s and '80s, I witnessed the stark divide between my predominantly white, affluent neighborhood and the predominantly African American areas in West and North Philadelphia. My early connection to North Philadelphia was shaped by my mother, artist Lily Yeh, who led community renewal efforts through public art projects in the 1980s. Her work, and my experiences at the Village of Arts and Humanities, instilled a lasting awareness of both the struggles and creative vitality within the neighborhood.

After years abroad photographing marginalized communities in Beijing, I returned to Philadelphia in 2008, drawn back to North Philadelphia's urban landscape. Initially photographing vacant lots and historic churches, I was drawn to explore the neighborhood's evolving story—its spaces reclaimed as gardens and memorials, its Chinese takeout restaurants reflecting tensions and coexistence, and most importantly, its people.

Through portraits and street tableaux, the series reflects moments of grace and resilience as well as broader social divides. North Philadelphia is not an attempt to represent the neighborhood in totality but a personal exploration of place, memory, and the ongoing presence of community.