Bryan Birks
Summer 2025 Cycle – Photography
St. Louis, MO bryanbirks.com
Artist Statement Biography
I am a photographer working out of St. Louis, Missouri. "Westward, Dear God" is an ongoing project about the city of St. Louis, told through both the past and the present. It explores the complex, and often misunderstood, history of the city, centering on the Gateway Arch not as a beacon of progress but as a monumental diversion. While the Arch stands as a celebrated symbol of westward expansion and architectural achievement, it also casts a long shadow over the city's more painful narratives.
I am a photographer working out of St. Louis, Missouri. "Westward, Dear God" is an ongoing project about the city of St. Louis, told through both the past and the present. It explores the complex, and often misunderstood, history of the city, centering on the Gateway Arch not as a beacon of progress but as a monumental diversion. While the Arch stands as a celebrated symbol of westward expansion and architectural achievement, it also casts a long shadow over the city's more painful narratives.
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