Jerry "Dobie" Lowrey, Angola, Louisiana 18 - 1999

Deborah Luster made this portrait, "Jerry 'Dobie' Lowrey, Angola, Louisiana", employing the 19th-century technique of the tintype. Tintypes are direct positives on thin metal sheets, offering a unique, ghostly image. This method was popular for its affordability, allowing ordinary people to have their portraits taken. The dark, reflective surface of the metal gives the image a depth and luminosity that’s quite distinctive. The choice of this outdated medium speaks volumes. It connects the sitter with the long history of portraiture, and by extension, the history of representation. It invites us to consider the social context of Angola, the infamous Louisiana State Penitentiary, and the lives of those incarcerated there. The care and labor Luster puts into this traditional process elevates her subjects, while inviting reflection on labor and justice in the modern age. The image itself is a testament to the power of material and process to convey profound meaning, blurring the lines between art, craft, and social commentary.