Zun Lee, Father Figure, 2011 - 2013

“Father absence is a highly visible social issue that affects all demographics and ethnic groups but is particularly highlighted in African-descended communities. According to census statistics, over two-thirds of black children are raised in single-parent households, the vast majority of them being led by the mother. However, research also shows that black fathers are no less present in their kids’ lives compared to fathers of other ethnic groups, whether they happen to cohabitate with their family or not.

From 2011 until 2015, I photographed black fathers and families from different walks of life and in different US cities. Rather than accumulate a series of portraits, my aim was to build trusted relationships and immerse myself in these father’s lives to get a sense of how they negotiate their daily spheres not just as fathers but also as black men. Over time, my relationships deepened beyond the realm of a “photographer-subject” dynamic. Many men were able to reveal a level of intimacy that allowed a nuanced picture of very personal parenting scenarios to emerge; scenarios that are fleeting and often hidden from the public realm but nonetheless meaningful.”

– Zun Lee