Violet Burgess

This work calls attention to the strengths and difficulties surrounding the Christian faith. Growing up as a Christian I have been surrounded by both support and criticism from the church community. I have sometimes been left to feel guilty for struggling mentally because “How can you be depressed if you have God in your life?”

Interviewing and photographing people who have had experiences growing up within a Christian community, I was able to explore feelings of strength, hope, betrayal, and doubt. Doubt was a common topic throughout the interviews. Doubting whether your beliefs are true and doubting whether you are a good Christian.

AM I NOT A CHRISTIAN? presents the feelings of those photographed through nature as well as highlighting the blurred lines between people’s emotions and how us as only viewers cannot truly understand their feelings.