“I Am Because We Are: African Wisdom in Image and Proverb” is the title of both Betty Press’s book and her current exhibit in the Colvard Student Union Art Gallery, running through October 13. According to Press, it is not shared with her web domain name, though; she settled withbettypress.com (where much of her work can be viewed), thanks to Madonna.
“Madonna did a book on Malawi. She got my domain name first, so I had to include my subtitle ‘African Wisdom in Image and Proverb’,” she said, laughing.
Before any domain name issues with pop singers, Press spent time as a photojournalist in Africa between 1987 and 1995, documenting and observing with her husband, a journalist, both working for the Christian Science Monitor. In 2011, “I Am Because We Are: African Wisdom in Image and Proverb,” a collection of black and white photographs pulled from her years in Africa paired with traditional African proverbs, was published. Press said the idea for the book was hatched with friend Annetta Miller.
“I had a good friend (Miller) who has been collecting proverbs all her life, and I suggested maybe would she like to work with me; she would look at each picture and suggest a proverb,” she said.
Like the pages of the book, the exhibit is uncluttered; the black and white photos take precedent, and the proverbs rest alongside the photos with short contextual descriptions for each photo. Press said the simplicity of the photos was to allow them to speak as clearly as possible.
“I felt that black and white was so much more direct; you really focus on the subject matter much more. You’re not distracted by color. It simplifies, but the message comes across much more clearly,” she said.
Press said she had an unfiltered picture of African life she was attempting to reveal.
“I wanted to capture the daily life in Africa, stress how people live and survive, not the poverty and war. There is a lot of joy there, people living their life and raising their children,” she said. “We really need to support each other and live harmoniously. This is a really strong idea in African philosophy, much less individualistic than in western life.”
Lori Neuenfeldt, lecturer/coordinator for the Visual Arts Center Gallery and Outreach Programs and professor of the College of Architecture, Art and Design, said the still, straightforward nature of the photos does not hamper their vivacity but does quite the opposite.
“These are still photographs, but the images are filled with life. We can hear the people laughing, the busy streets and markets and the quiet courtyards,” she said.
Neuenfeldt said what she finds in the exhibit is an important overarching joy woven throughout the images.
“Press’s idea of the joy and sense of community that pervades African culture is the theme of the exhibit. The works show us that Africa is vibrant and modern but with rich roots in tradition,” she said.
Natalie Etheridge, junior microbiology major, spent time in Africa during the summer of 2011. She said she found parallels between the kinetic, joyous nature of the photographs and her own experiences on the continent.
“I saw starving children who had a light in their eyes that is unexplainable. They are definitely a joyful group of people who are genuinely appreciative of whatever they have, even if all they have is one set of clothes, a rug to sleep on and each other,” she said.
The exhibit was held in conjunction with this year’s Maroon Edition, Maathai’s “Unbowed,” a work of literature with strong roots in African culture. Through these efforts, a conversation about the relationship between the cultures of the United States and Africa, and what can be learned by the listening ear of both parties, has begun. Not through sweeping campaigns, but through small sparks, such as the depiction of the strength and joy of African daily life Betty Press’s photographs have given us.