ABOUT THIS PROJECT

American Adolescents provides a glimpse into the world of the maturing teenage mind.
These jottings and snapshots are of the moment, and reflect private thoughts
which are as individual as fingerprints, often revealing intense universal experiences
such as pride, joy, competition, isolation, insecurity, fear, anger, and rage.
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During the many years I taught visual arts to thousands of students, I developed a
profound appreciation for the difficulties many of these young peeople encountered
while traversing the convoluted corridor from childhood to adulthood.
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Many kids, who are fortunate enough to have been born into loving, secure and caring
families and communities, manage to successfully navigate through the teen years.
Others, who must work through problemsintrinsic to dysfunctional homes and neighborhoods,
can become enmeshed in struggles with outcomes that range from heroic to tragic.
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Here you will meet adolescents from varied socioeconomic strata and ethnic origins:
European, Hispanic, African American, American Indian, South American, and Asian.
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The purpose of these portraits is to intrigue, disarm and engage the viewer,
to make these young people approachable, as they might not otherwise seem to be;
to break down preconcieved notions and allow more open, honest and productive
communication among individuals of varied backgrounds and generations.
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In a culture permeated by media-generated ideals and values,
kids often have new and sometimes questionable models
against which to measure their self-worth.
Compared to earlier generations,
this is life in the fast lane.
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© 2000-2007 Susan Herdman