Paccarik Orue "There Is Nothing Beautiful Around Here"

Richmond, California is a place where many families move when they can no longer afford to live in San Francisco or Oakland. In Richmond, the majority of the population is African-American or Hispanic and many residents are struggling with rising unemployment, foreclosure, poverty, and the ensuing violence and substance abuse. This situation has accentuated Richmond’s reputation for being one of the roughest parts of the Bay Area. I initially went to Richmond to explore and see what this infamous area was truly like.

During one of my early visits, a middle-aged African-American woman asked me why I was taking pictures in her neighborhood. I answered that it was beautiful. She responded, ‘There is nothing beautiful around here.’ This notion, deeply embedded in the consciousness of Richmond’s residents, triggered my interest to further explore this forlorn city. This body of work documents the hidden charm underneath Richmond’s troubles, what its residents and outsiders fail to see. - Paccarik Orue