Born in Galesburg, Illinois, Chris Verene (1969) moved to Brooklyn at the age of twenty to pursue a career in photography. After the release of his self-titled book in 2000, The New York Times got a hold of it and named him most appealing newcomer of that year. In this book Verene depicted his hometown of Galesburg and its residents.

The tacky interiors, worn-out clothes and desperate expressions in the pictures suggest that all is not well in Galesburg, but Verene adds a commentary that tries its best to be upbeat. The compassionate sensation of sadness and fascination for outsiders is clearly visible in Verene’s images, which often seem like anthropological time capsules. Check out more of Verene’s work after the jump.