uncommons

21 year-old WKU Junior Carl Kiilsgaard is working on a rather intensive project documenting the life of an impoverished family in rural Kentucky. Having met Carl when he interned at the Palm Beach Post, I have had the humbling opportunity to watch him grow as a photographer. Carl sent several folders of images for consideration, and it is rather impossible in my opinion to summarize the story in a tight edit. This body of work has long-term potential and I encourage he continue the story and find a suitable outlet. It is a privilege to display this work on uncommons.

All photographs are copyright Carl Kiilsgaard

Recently I sat down and interviewed with Carl over email regarding these latest selects from the project.

Erik: Tell me a little about yourself and this project and how you found your subjects:

Carl: I started this project during the 2006 ACP Workshop, which takes place in Whitesburg, Ky., and I found my family in Colson [KY]. I came across the family completely by chance. I was driving down a random hollow and saw two of the men playing basketball outside. I pulled over, struck up a conversation, played a couple basketball games and then they asked if i wanted to see their cock fighting roosters. It went from there.

Erik: What are you trying to communicate about your subjects and how did you gain access to them?

Carl: Access to my subjects has been a long, arduous process involving lots and lots of time. At first they were all convinced I worked for the FBI. Only after coming back two or three more times and bringing them pictures each time did they really start to open up and allow me more intimate access. I am still not completely sure what I want to say with the project. I guess on the most basic level I want to show people how a small portion of the country lives and that we don’t have to travel outside the USA to find third world poverty. On a deeper level I want the project to be about intimacy and to show that these people lead extraordinary lives despite how different it is then your average white bread middle class living/upbringing such as mine and many of my fellow photographers.

Erik: You have a lot of powerful imagery that speaks of sexuality, drug use, poverty, violence, and family. There is a certain balance between pity and anger against your subjects, and I fear that this exposure will adversely affect the children. Could you elaborate on their situation?

Carl: Some days I want to scream at my subjects for the actions they take but I cant, other times I want to hug them and tell them they are wonderful parents despite obvious setbacks. Its a very ying and yang situation. As far as the children go, its becoming more and more obvious to me how the younger ones emulate their surroundings and attempt to be like their parents. Its frustrating but at the same time it is the vicious cycle of life that exists in Eastern Kentucky. Two of the children I have high hopes for…they will most likely graduate high school and one, a daughter, will most likely go to UK. She is a freshman though, so lots of
things can happen in the next four years.

Erik: Where do you see yourself progressing from this point in the project, and more broadly, your photographic career?

Carl: As far as progression in the project goes, I’d just like to keep shooting it for the next two years I’m in school and hopefully for the rest of my life, just following the family as they grow older. I’d like to work on portraits of each of the family…im currently working on a lighting setup that will be easy to transport and photograph them with. Photographic career wise? Haven’t a clue at this point…find a way to fund personal projects would be the simplest answer.

Erik: Could you list several influential photographers that have affected your overall style and photographic vision?

Professional photographers that have influenced me? Gueorgui Pinkhassov for his incredible way of seeing the world. Alex Webb for his use of light and composition. Eugene Richards for just being a badass. Jonas Bendiksen, Carolyn Drake, and Luc Delahaye for pushing the boundaries of documentary photography. I’m also very influenced by my fellow college students such as Andrew Henderson, Christian Hansen, Tyler Bissmeyer, and Matt Eich…all of whom I consider dear friends as well.

Special thanks to Carl for allowing the use of his work and taking the time to talk. I encourage you to submit new and unknown work to uncommons. Finding good photography is truly a way we all progress and inspire eachother to make compelling and personal photographs. The new email address for submitting work is:

senditmyway[at]eriklunsford[dot]com