HARLINGEN — The lines descending down her face tell many stories.
They reveal a life of joy, of sorrow, of struggle, and the wisdom she’s ready to share of the youthful innocence cradled in her arms.
This is one of many black and white photos which will go on display Friday at Beyond Arts Gallery when it opens the exhibit “A Love Story on Southmost” by Miguel Anaya. The photography by Anaya, a Brownsville native who currently lives in Manhattan, New York, is “very personal and intimate,” said Jessica Salazar McBride, gallery director.
“It’s kind of looking in on a family, the average family,” she said.” In his case it would be Brownsville. Anybody can identify with them.”
Anaya, 43, is an artist/photographer currently working on a portrait project which investigates Latino and Mexican immigration issues of the 21st century.
“The goal is to assemble a body of work that illustrates my culture, heritage and perspective of how my family deals with immigration issues on the Texas frontera,” said the 1992 graduate of Porter High School.
While his work has an intriguing mixture of painting and black and white photography, his photos convey a powerful message.
“As a first generation born, I was fascinated by the beautiful cinematography in these black and white films,” he said. “I always thought that the movie took place at night. I loved seeing people that looked like us in a light that illuminated their skins as if they were the moon.”
The photos have an especially poignant quality that Salazar McBride believes will touch many. One turns the simple task of rolling tortilla dough into a thing of beauty.
“It’s aging hands rolling tortilla dough,” she said. “You could tell these hands had been doing it for a long time. The hands are just a little crooked, a little wear and tear, but it shows a lot. It’s just very intimate.”
She feels many people will be able to identify with this and other images to be displayed at the gallery.
“Maybe it’s something in their past experience, their family, it’s just a really heartwarming show,” Salazar McBride said.
The exhibit addresses the human element behind immigration laws, Anaya said.
“This collection of images illustrates hope and how the past influences present and future,” he said.
Anaya is a founding member of the NYC Bridge Project, says his website. His leadership skills provided resources to urban youths interested in storytelling through photography. Anaya is a Jocelyne Benzakin Fellow and studied at International Center of Photography School under the mentorship of Frank Fournier, The Point CDC in the Bronx, NY.
As is generally the case, this exhibit has some distinctive qualities which separate it from previous shows.
“It’s portraits,” Salazar McBride said. “We always try to change it up as we do. We do try to show diversity in all the work we do, in all the shows we do have.”
The exhibit will be on display until Aug. 19.
