Same Same But Different
Image samples from gallery show in 2020

In 2020, the Anne Kittrell Art Gallery at the University of Arkansas asked if I would be interested in displaying some work. Of course, I said yes. What transpired was a gallery show full of images from my travels over the years, entitled “Same Same But Different.” The images were displayed in pairs, with tags describing the content and location for each one. Here is an excerpt from the show statement.

“... Having observed, loved, and shared meals with people in most corners of the world, I’ve never understood how people can, with a clear conscience, demean humans from other countries they see as “inferior” to their own, and for some reason believe that their country — the one they just happened to have been born into — is, for some reason or other, the best one ever dreamt into being, and that the others aren’t worth their salt. Or their curry powder, maybe.

So, in an era of rampant xenophobia, I wanted to look back at the images I’ve taken during my travels that feature people, and see where I could find commonalities among them. It didn’t take long, really. The Thailand tourist phrase “Same Same But Different” came to mind, and it stuck. I’m hoping you’ll be able to see some of yourself in these images, and realize that we’re all just trying to do the same difficult thing: to succeed at being human.”

Here are a few of those pairs of images. Click to enlarge. The show is still printed and available to display elsewhere upon request.

Colorful traditional dancers in costumes and hats participating in a cultural event, with some people taking photos and a banner hanging in the background.
A street musician playing a pan flute and a guitarist playing an accordion on a sidewalk, with people walking by in the background.
People setting up a fruit stand with apples, eggplants, and other produce on a rural road, with a tuk-tuk parked nearby and trees in the background.
People cooking and preparing food at a busy street food stall in an outdoor market.
People playing soccer in an open field near a modern stadium, with buildings and mountain landscape in the background, during late afternoon or early evening.
A Buddhist monk and young monks participating in a prayer or ceremony inside a temple, with a nun or monk serving food to younger monks seated on the ground.
A man sewing white fabric using a sewing machine in a workshop, with other people working in the background.
Group of Buddhist monks in maroon robes sitting and laughing on a steps in front of a yellow wall with red and blue accents, while several men in traditional attire stand nearby.
The image is split into two scenes. On the left, a man is browsing jewelry at a market stall with shelves filled with small golden Buddha statues and various accessories. On the right, a man is sitting outside a café, reading a newspaper and smoking
A young boy with braided hair stands outdoors on a dirt path, holding a purple bicycle. He is wearing a blue patterned jacket and black shorts, with sneakers. The background features a grassy area, a dirt path, and some greenery.
A woman sitting in a market with vegetables in front of her on a cloth: green peppers and tomatoes. The woman is drinking from a cup. Behind her, there are some plastic bags hanging and some packages of goods.
A young girl with dark hair in braids, wearing a white and pink dress, standing beside a llama. The background is outdoors with trees and green landscape.