Ryan Moreno

My name is Ryan Moreno. I am aspiring Indigenous photographer from the Tohono Oʼodham Nation. I explore the depths of the environment humans both create and destroy. I draw my inspiration from patterns of architectural designs. As a young artist from the reservation, I try to immerse myself in landscapes and untold stories that can be unfolded by the viewer.

Curiosity fills the black-and-white portrait. The man is deeply focused on his work. His determination and dedication are shown through the expression on his face. The particles of mesquite tree flutter around him. He is preparing for a traditional O’odham funeral, where the skinned bark of mesquite trees (Kui) are torn off its elongated stems, and placed in the grave of the departed. I captured this honorable moment in the process of traditional O’odham burial. This is O’odham Himdag, our way of life, our identity.