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Black Appalachia: Artist Captures Hidden Lives
9 Jul
Summary
- Exhibit highlights often-overlooked black residents of Appalachian culture.
- Artist Aluka Berry documented black Appalachians for six years.
- Photography breaks down barriers by showcasing shared humanity.
Aluka Berry's "Affrilachia: Testimonies" exhibit at the Madison County Arts Council is bringing to light the experiences of black residents within Appalachian culture. This exhibition, alongside Berry's book published by the University of Kentucky Press, borrows its name from the term "Affrilachia" coined by poet Frank X Walker. The project is the culmination of Berry's six-year endeavor, documenting black Appalachian communities in Western North Carolina, northeast Georgia, and Eastern Tennessee.
Berry, a Marshall resident, began this work in March 2016, realizing the importance of documenting contemporary life for future historical records. His photography aims to foster understanding and erode prejudice by emphasizing shared humanity, a mission that extended beyond his earlier photojournalism career. The exhibit features families from historically Black neighborhoods, preserving a history that has largely gone undocumented.
Recognized as a 2026 Guggenheim Fellow, Berry's "Affrilachia: Generations" project will continue this legacy, expanding to communities in West Virginia and Alabama. His work, with some pieces acquired by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, serves as a vital contribution to preserving Black history in the Appalachian Mountains.
