For three years Mark Menjivar traveled around the United States exploring the issue of hunger. The more time he spent speaking and listening to individual stories, the more he began to think about the foods people consume and the effects they have on individuals and communities. An intense curiosity and questions about stewardship led him to begin to make unconventional portraits of the interiors of refrigerators in homes across the Untied States. .

Artist Statement: “A refrigerator is both a private and a shared space. One person likened the question, “May I photograph the interior of your fridge?” to asking someone to pose nude for the camera. Each fridge is photographed “as is.” Nothing added, nothing taken away.  These are portraits of the rich and the poor. Vegetarians, Republicans, members of the NRA, those left out, the under appreciated, former soldiers in Hitler’s SS, dreamers, and so much more. We never know the full story of one’s life. My hope is that we will think deeply about how we care. How we care for our bodies. How we care for others. And how we care for the land.”

For more photographs, click here or visit Mark Menjivar’s website.

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