Typical American Portfolio

Recent Generations

  • A photograph of an eccentric middle-aged caucasian cowboy sitting on the sidewalk in front of a store window filled with the American flag. He is wearing a suit covered with patches and embroidery, with long dusty blonde hair tucked under a straw hat and sunglasses. The cowboy is sitting on an old metal lawn chair. He is wearing mismatched work boots that are covered with dust. Generated with AI.
  • A studio photograph of a young overweight African American man wearing a red bowler style hat, sitting at his table with all-American food like hot dogs and chicken wings in front of him and what appear to be bottles of malt liquor. Behind him is a large U.S. flag. He wears a silver chain necklace around his neck, as well as a grey t-shirt. He has tattoos on his arms. Generated with AI.
  • A young beautiful caucasian woman with big, curly blonde hair is dressed in an American flag dress, with red lipstick and a white bow tied around her neck. She is standing in the front yard of a house with American flags, in a suburban neighborhood. Generated with AI.
  • A portrait of an elderly Caucasian man wearing sunglasses and face paint in the pattern of the American flag. He is dressed in a red, blue, and white patterned suit inspired by the American flag, a cowboy hat also inspired by the American flag, and a large gold necklace, standing in front of a large American flag and clear blue sky in the background that is sightly out of focus. Generated with AI.
  • A balding middle-aged caucasian man with short black hair who is overweight and is wearing a white t-shirt with a red design on it that is tucked into his well-worn bluejeans. He sits on the hood of his red and white classic station wagon that appears to be form the 1960's with several bottles, cans, trash cans, and ketchup containers next to him in front of a store decorated for America's national holiday. Generated with AI.
  • A portrait of a middle-aged African American man dressed in red, white, and blue with an American flag pattern. He wears several beaded necklaces that are white and red, and has a large hat made out of stars and stripes with a very large white afro enveloping the sides and top of his hat and resting on his shoulders, the afro is bright red directly next to his face. Behind him is a colorful toy shop filled with American flags and other brightly colored objects, the background is out of focus. Generated with AI.
  • A young caucasian man with a short blonde mohawk, wearing an American flag shirt covered in patches and cargo pants with a patchwork of the American flag, stands on a street corner in front of his small blue house that is slightly out of focus. He is facing forward, looking at the camera with his hands thrust in his front pockets. Generated with AI.
  • A young African American man wearing an Indian headdress with red and white feathers, and native style face paint stands on the street in front of a gas station that is out of focus. His skin is painted with blue, red, and white dots, like those of Native American warriors. He wears necklaces around his neck, made from various materials, including beads crafted by African women. He also wears several rings and bracelets. In one hand, he holds multiple paper masquerade masks. Generated with AI.
  • A portrait of a young African American woman wrapped in the American flag. She is wearing a headscarf and hat, she is sitting and leaning on her knees with one hand resting gently at her side. The background features a large American flag. The photograph was taken with studio lighting, and a cinematic style. Generated with AI.
  • A beautiful young caucasian woman wearing sunglasses and a red and white striped short dress sits on an old leather chair in front of the American flag, surrounded by scattered boxes with mementos inside them. She has long brown hair, and is wearing high heels with an ankle strap and open toes. The room's walls have various art pieces hanging from them, while there is also some vintage furniture around her. A large frame displaying images related to America can be seen behind her and a giant American flag is on display. Generated with AI.
  • A photograph of a young American caucasian adolescent wearing pearl earrings with fuzzy bottoms and several plain necklaces, dressed in red white blue with stars on it, she is standing in front of the American flag, she has long brown hair and wears large hat made out of small flags. Generated with AI.
  • A photograph of an eccentric middle-aged caucasian woman, she is sitting at her table covered with milk and pastries and soda cans and American flag decorations, she has blond hair and blue eyeshadow and makeup, there's red white and green on his outfit, he wears pearl earrings and gold necklaces, a big headpiece made out of stars attached to a crown, there’s a wall behind him decorated with pictures of us capital buildings and flags and USA symbols. Generated with AI.
  • A young caucasian boy with blonde hair, wearing jeans and suspenders, sits in front of an old-fashioned store counter, surrounded by classic American products like Coca-Cola cans, milk cartons, candy bars, and gumball machines. The background features a large American flag, symbolizing strength and unity. This portrait captures his innocence as he gazes at the camera with curiosity, embodying the typical mid-20th-century fashion and photography style. Generated with AI.
  • A young thin caucasian woman stands in front of an American flag, wearing red, white, and blue with a hat, in the style of 70s-style photography. She has red lips, blonde hair, and blue eyes, and the composition is symmetrical, with the American flag as the background. Generated using AI.
  • Portrait of an American farmer, a middle-aged caucasian with long hair, wearing overalls and a straw hat, sitting in front of an American flag. Next to him is a stack of milk jugs, and a cow's head is visible on the right side behind them. In the background, there is a large stack of flags and a large American flag. The colors are red, white, and blue. This is a hyper-realistic photograph with detailed faces, skin, eyes, hands, and arms, captured with professional studio lighting. Generated with AI.
  • A man with long, light-colored hair and a serious expression stands in front of a retro-style gas station. He is wearing a bold red, white, and blue outfit featuring stars and stripes, reminiscent of the American flag. His ensemble includes a striped suit jacket and pants, a star-spangled shirt, a red tie, and a wide-brimmed straw hat. The background includes colorful pillars, a parked white SUV, and signage, giving the scene a nostalgic, Americana feel. Generated using AI.
  • A young caucasian girl with red, white, and blue eye paint stands in front of an American-themed park entrance that's out of focus behind her. She wears a top hat decorated like the American flag, has yellow hair with red tips, red lipstick, and a silver and gold chain necklace. Generated with AI.
  • A portrait of a young African American man wearing blue jeans and a blue shirt with white stars, leaning against the passenger door of his classic red car with white strips that appear to be from the 1950's. In the background, a white building with posters can be seen that are all slightly out of focus. Generated with AI.
  • A bald eagle anthropomorphized as a dignified character sits in a patriotic setting, dressed in a denim jacket, a straw hat adorned with an American flag ribbon, and a bow tie with a matching stars-and-stripes pattern. The background features American flags, red and white flowers, and rustic decorations, creating a vintage Americana atmosphere. The eagle's intense gaze and regal posture add to the image’s striking and whimsical nature. Generated using AI.

Project Statement

“Photograph of a Typical American” is the prompt used to generate each image in this series, which currently includes over 4,000 AI-generated variations. This project examines the biases embedded in AI algorithms, which become especially apparent when processing open-ended prompts. While AI-generated results are often arbitrary and inconsistent, the images produced for Typical American display a striking uniformity in both subject and style.

AI does not create bias in a vacuum—it reflects and amplifies the patterns ingrained in its training data, which are shaped by societal norms, media, and online discourse. As AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, it has the power to reinforce dominant worldviews, subtly legitimizing certain identities while marginalizing others. In doing so, it not only mirrors existing cultural and political divisions but also plays an active role in shaping them. This series invites viewers to consider not just what AI reveals, but what it omits—and the broader implications of those omissions.

Exhibitions and Publications, 2023-25

Typical American, 1st Portfolio, 2023