James Lee Flowers, Angola, Louisiana 19 - 1999

Deborah Luster's "James Lee Flowers, Angola, Louisiana" (1999) is a poignant black and white photograph that captures a man, likely an inmate, kneeling in prayer at the Angola Penitentiary. The photograph features the subject's solemn expression, hands clasped in prayer, and the darkened background, creating a powerful atmosphere of contemplation and spirituality. This piece is part of Luster's larger series, "Awaiting," which explores the lives of incarcerated men in Louisiana, highlighting their humanity and the complexities of their situations. The photograph’s intimacy and the subject's vulnerability speak to the power of art to reveal shared human experiences.