A young man named Alejandro is photographed at his home north of Monterrey, Mexico, in June 2014. He is not affiliated with any gangs, photographer Tom King said, but he has lost a number of friends to violence. King spent two and a half years in the Monterrey area, trying to learn more about its young men and the brutality around them.
A young man named Alejandro is photographed at his home north of Monterrey, Mexico, in June 2014. He is not affiliated with any gangs, photographer Tom King said, but he has lost a number of friends to violence. King spent two and a half years in the Monterrey area, trying to learn more about its young men and the brutality around them.
Tom King
The mountain El Cerro de la Silla serves as the backdrop for Monterrey in this photo from July 2013. The San Rafael neighborhood, seen in the foreground, contains public and informal housing projects, King said.
The mountain El Cerro de la Silla serves as the backdrop for Monterrey in this photo from July 2013. The San Rafael neighborhood, seen in the foreground, contains public and informal housing projects, King said.
Tom King
From left, Samuel, Tony and Lams mimic a kidnapping in July 2012.
From left, Samuel, Tony and Lams mimic a kidnapping in July 2012.
Tom King
A man named Balta, who King said belonged to the street gang "Los Pokos Lokos," engraved his name into his own arm.
A man named Balta, who King said belonged to the street gang "Los Pokos Lokos," engraved his name into his own arm.
Tom King
Donaldo poses for a portrait at his home in July 2014. King said he has lost a number of friends to violence. "I wanted to understand why these young men were so vulnerable to this violence," King said. "What was happening in their world? Who were they? What was their reality?"
Donaldo poses for a portrait at his home in July 2014. King said he has lost a number of friends to violence. "I wanted to understand why these young men were so vulnerable to this violence," King said. "What was happening in their world? Who were they? What was their reality?"
Tom King
Kaly has his eyebrows removed after losing a bet in April 2012.
Kaly has his eyebrows removed after losing a bet in April 2012.
Tom King
On Samuel's chest is a tattoo of his slain brother. The tattoo is based on a photo that King took.
On Samuel's chest is a tattoo of his slain brother. The tattoo is based on a photo that King took.
Tom King
This machine-gun round was found outside a home in Monterrey after the Mexican army entered in January 2012, King said.
This machine-gun round was found outside a home in Monterrey after the Mexican army entered in January 2012, King said.
Tom King
Shaky has lost a number of friends to violence, King said. "It's important to show that they're just, in my opinion, vulnerable young men on the boundary between adolescence and adulthood and trying to work out what they're supposed to be doing in life," King said.
Shaky has lost a number of friends to violence, King said. "It's important to show that they're just, in my opinion, vulnerable young men on the boundary between adolescence and adulthood and trying to work out what they're supposed to be doing in life," King said.
Tom King
Alejandro rests in his bedroom in June 2013.
Alejandro rests in his bedroom in June 2013.
Tom King
Doña Tonia mourns over the coffin of her son Manuel in January 2011. Manuel was a member of the street gang "Los Quimicos," King said, and he was kidnapped and murdered by one of the country's drug cartels.
Doña Tonia mourns over the coffin of her son Manuel in January 2011. Manuel was a member of the street gang "Los Quimicos," King said, and he was kidnapped and murdered by one of the country's drug cartels.
Tom King