From the Heads of the Hollers: Featuring Shelby Lee Adams
Facebook: Shelby Lee Adams Instagram: @adamsshelbylee
New Monograph From Gost Books: From the Heads of the Hollers
Dates: October 5 – December 29, 2023
Events: Opening Artist Reception & Book Signing Thursday, October 5, 5-8pm
Every summer for over 40 years, Shelby Lee Adams travelled to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky to take photographs. Now in his 70’s, he has returned to his archive of unpublished images taken between 1974 and 2010. His aim was to print those which may have been previously overlooked, concerned if he did not print them in his lifetime, the photos would never be made. Nearly 90 of these unpublished works will be included in his new monograph from Gost Books From the Heads of the Hollers and a selection of these will be featured in his Biennial show.
‘I ask folks to look into the camera lens and find their own reflection while thinking about significant events in their lives that are important to them. Life experiences for all of us vary greatly and are imprinted in our core being and that bears through, influencing our appearances. When a photographer is connected to his subjects, pretenses and masks fall away, bringing forward a more unrestrained and engaging portrait.’
Shelby Lee Adams is an American photographer, originally from Hazard, Kentucky, known for his portraits of Appalachian family life. He describes his work as autobiographical, people-oriented, personal and subjective, with humanistic and artistic concerns.