From the artist: This photo of my sister was taken on March 30, 2020. We were a few weeks into quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Literally, this photo represents a moment I shared with my sister while we were isolating. Symbolically, this photo represents the isolation and yearning we felt to reconnect with the rest of the world.

Derek Kao is medical student and photographer originally from Los Angeles. He is currently on a scholarly year at Mount Sinai researching clinical outcomes in head and neck cancer patients. In his free time, Derek enjoys watching films, taking photos, and swimming at the beach.