Exquisite Lumbees

2010

artwork

Ashley Minner

photography

Sean Scheidt

Photo of Jeremy. Text reads, I would like people to see a proud Native American with a kind heart.

Jeremy Locklear, photographed by Sean Scheidt.

The men and women who were asked to participate in this project are all part of what I consider to be ‘my generation.’ We are close in age. Many of us grew up together and despite the different paths we have chosen for ourselves in life, we are still close and see each other regularly to this day. Those who agreed to visit the photography studio were encouraged to wear what they liked best. We did several sessions with different groups of people. Each time, the entire group would stand behind the camera along with the photographer to encourage and coach the person whose portrait was being taken. Each person was given the opportunity to choose the photograph they felt best represented them. Text incorporated into the portraits, written by us, gives viewers a glimpse into our hopes for one other and the depths of ourselves. “The Exquisite Lumbee” book exists to demonstrate that, although we as a people run the gamut of skin colors, hair colors and hair textures, we do have a distinctive quality, character and style. We recognize each other. We are exquisite.

The Exquisite Lumbees have been displayed in galleries throughout the United States, including Creative Alliance at the Patterson (Baltimore, MD), Arlington Arts Center (Arlington, VA), the Museum of Arts and Sciences (Daytona, FL), Greenville Museum of Art (Greenville, SC), the HUB Gallery at Penn State (University Park, PA), and even internationally. Portraits are permanently installed at the Center for the Study of the American South (Chapel Hill, NC) and the Department of Southeast American Indian Studies at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. View a 2015 installation at the Trickster Art Gallery in Schaumburg, IL.

Photo of Keith in Lumbee regalia. Text reads, Culturally aware, respectful, god-fearing.
Photo of Ashley Minner. Text reads, Smart, easy going, sweet.
Photo of Tonya. A long paragraph of text is behind her, including the words Strong, alive, unique.
Photo of Sandy. Text reads, Proud to be Native American.
Photo of Louis. Text reads, Proud, quiet, giving.
Photo of Nicki. Text reads, Nothing but the best.
Photo of Teala. Text reads, I love being me because there is no one like me.
Photo of Tonto. Text reads, Cool, wild, fresh.
Photo of Sherry. Text reads, I am somebody strong, driven, caring, aggressive, emotional, leader.
Photo of Dino. Text reads, Respectful, athlete, hardworking, a leader.
Photo of Tanelle. Text reads, Awesome, beautiful, creative.
Photo of CJ. Text reads, Proud to be Lumbee Indian.
Photo of Des. Text reads, Stand as tall as we can.
Photo of Christine. Text reads, You have to know where you come from to know you are going.
Photo of Alicia. Text reads, Ambitious, loving, cheerful.
Photo of Aaron. Text reads, I'm happy that I'm a Lumbee.
The cover of the book Exquisite Lumbees.
Interior pages of the book Exquisite Lumbees, showing photos of different tribe members.
Interior pages of the book Exquisite Lumbees, showing photos of different tribe members.
Interior pages of the book Exquisite Lumbees, showing photos of different tribe members.

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