St. Gabriel, Louisiana 1 - 1999

"St. Gabriel, Louisiana" (1999) is a black and white photograph by Deborah Luster, depicting a woman standing with a large wooden mallet in her hands. The photograph is a part of Luster’s larger series, "One Big Self," focusing on the lives and experiences of African Americans in Louisiana, particularly in St. Gabriel. The portrait is a compelling depiction of the power and resilience of the individual, with the woman's gaze directly meeting the viewer's. Luster's work is characterized by a focus on community, identity, and the complexities of race and social class in the American South.