HUSTLE CULTURE

Exploring the complexities of Hustle Culture, a mentality that encourages people to work long hours and harder than others to achieve their goals, I delve into its impact on our aspirations, identity, and our connection with the digital world. Within this relentless pursuit, we find ourselves consumed by an unyielding drive, unable to break free from its grasp. Social media’s glorification of Hustle Culture amplifies the pressure, making us feel like we must have it all together, all the time – all while maintaining a façade of balance and contentment. Yet, despite our relentless efforts, satisfaction remains elusive, compelling us to pursue productivity in every waking moment.

I’ve always had a deep appreciation for staying busy. The rhythm of constant activity serves as both a source of inspiration and a means of maintaining equilibrium amidst the chaos. The busyness, the hustle, the addiction is what feeds my inspiration my work.

don’t drown!

This photograph is a composite, made by blending multiple images into one. During my senior year at Virginia Tech, I completed a collection of paintings and photographs to explore and illustrate the concept of hustle culture.

For this particular image, I directed a shoot in my friend’s college apartment. She posed in her bathtub wearing a white swimsuit, surrounded by scrunched-up pieces of blank paper, some submerged, and some floating on the surface. To capture the shot, I instructed her to move only her arms in the water, which created the reflections you see in the image. The entire process, from conceptualization to execution, was an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.

In the photograph, the subject appears immersed in water with a concerned and scared expression, symbolizing the feeling of drowning. The papers floating around her represent the overwhelming workload she faces, highlighting the suffocating nature of hustle culture. The cool, blue tones of the image evoke a sense of sadness and stress, emphasizing the emotional burden of being overwhelmed by work. She appears unable to save herself, consumed by the sheer volume of tasks around her.