Marcella Lewis, St. Gabriel, Louisiana 12 - 2000

Deborah Luster made this photograph of Marcella Lewis in St. Gabriel, Louisiana, using the tintype process. The amber tones feel so immediate, so tactile, don’t they? You can almost feel the cool, smooth surface of the metal plate. I'm drawn to the way the light catches the planes of Marcella's face, how it emphasizes the texture of her skin, the little imperfections that make her portrait so human, so present. The way one side of her face plunges into darkness, creating a sense of mystery and depth. It’s a direct, unflinching gaze, capturing a sense of dignity, strength, and quiet resilience. Like the work of Dawoud Bey, Luster uses portraiture to create a space for contemplation and connection. It's not just about representation; it's about the relationship between the artist, the subject, and the viewer, about how we see and understand each other.