Book Award Finalists: Priya Kambli

© Priya Kambli, Muma, Sona and Me (Rohan and Kavi)

"My move from India to the United States in 1993 left me feeling that I do not belong fully to either culture," Priya Kambli writes, "leaving me unable to anchor myself in any particular cultural framework." In her exploration of this dilemma, Kambli combines multiple images to patch together these distinctly different cultural identities, leading the viewer through a journey from here to there, as well as now and then.

© Priya Kambli, Me (Tonka and Turmeric)

© Priya Kambli, Me (Red)

"Photography has been a way of bridging the gap between the two cultures while coming to terms with my dual nature. Ironically, because photography appears to be "true", it allows me to create convincing fictional depictions of my new identity. My digital photographs reflect the tension caused due to the duality by piecing together fragmented images and by mingling family snapshots with carefully staged imagery."

© Priya Kambli, Dada Aajooba and Me