Surendra Lawoti

(b.1974 Nepal; resides Chicago, IL)

The inspiration to produce my work comes from the fact that I am caught between two cultures, Nepal, my previous home, and America, my present. —Surendra Lawoti

Surendra Lawoti’s color photographs examine immigrant life in modern America. Centered on the small Nepalese population in the Chicagoland area, he investigates concerns that permeate the everyday life of a newly arrived community. Photographing his subjects in their daily environment—home, work, school, or community gatherings—he illuminates issues they face, such as assimilation, displacement, and cultural identity.

Lawoti came to the United States in 1994 from Nepal to pursue higher education. He graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a BA in photography (1999). Lawoti had a solo show at the Spiny Babbler museum in Katmandu and has been included in many group shows around Chicago, including Flatfile, The Marwen Foundation, and The Glass Curtain Gallery. Currently he is the Assistant Manager of Columbia College’s photography studio.