Life and art together.
Images by Colin Stanley Hovde. Words by Adriana Nodal-Tarafa.
May 10, 2020
In late May, right before we planned on publishing this last photo-essay entry, the reason for our Introductory post of March 2020 became glaringly obvious in our streets.
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"We want to be extremely clear about this. Many people in this same land and across this earth are experiencing overwhelmingly more profound struggles set up by historical inequity during the pandemic. Our portraits do not, by far, reflect an all-encompassing view of the kinds of resilience born out of historical oppression. Moreover, capturing this was not our goal.
We understand the limitations of our own perspective and reach. We would like for you to think critically about those limitations too, when you enjoy this content.
We decided to offer portraits while people are physically distancing from others, and share our reflections during this time, to lift people's spirits up in a time of crisis.
At the same time, by carving out this space for relatedness, we are not interested in imposing a lens on any geography or people. We do not endorse erasing anyone's pain, or otherwise tokenizing any bodies."
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So, as we gathered, called, wrote, chanted through our face masks, gave safe rides, delivered meals and medical supplies, made donations, translated flyers, with so many in our community and the world, we decided to pause our Resiliency Portraits posts.
We did not want to pull media focus away, however small, from any expressions of sorrow for Black lives lost, or outrage for all the adults and children who are unjustly detained in private prisons in the United States. We did not want to divert attention either from the publically displayed, unapologetic determination to solve this ethical crisis we live in. And we continue to add our voices and our actions toward that end.
If you, too, are called to take action in Duwamish land, you can support efforts to build equity in King County, WA, here. And you can support efforts to close the privately owned and cruelly run Northwest Immigrant detention center in Tacoma, WA, here.
We appreciate beyond words the example set by those who, despite unimaginable pain and risk, have the tenacity to shake the foundations of our conformity. Their work elevates all of humanity. It is our honor to follow that lead, respond to all the calls to action we can, and stay teachable.
In that spirit of gratitude, our final post is about appreciation for community, however intimately or broadly you may define it. It has been soul-nourishing to participate in life and art with Resiliency Portrait participants.
"To be held in a place, to have a place of belonging, to live with people. These sacred things can be so hard to sustain. I am grateful to have a community that I can turn to, and whom I can support. [...]No one really knows what's going to happen, but there is absolutely no near-term solution [to COVID] in sight."
—Michaud in South Seattle
"My parents are lesbian, and my biological mother is a 4th- generation Seattlelite, which also informs the sense of community I find here. That said, probably the biggest thing, other than family or friends, which connects me to this place, is being part of all my artistic communities."
—Michaud in South Seattle
“[Since staying home], I am surprised by how many birds are around [and I hope after physical distancing is over, we continue to have] less of an environmental impact."
—Valerie and Queenie in Northgate, Seattle
"The sense of home is strong here. [...] I love being able to observe this, and I love that others observe it as well. Despite our current social distancing efforts, and despite the long-term norms of privacy and insular behavior, I believe areas like this are inclusive and inviting."
—Greg in Central District, Seattle
"I have been surprised at how much more empirically connected I am to the world right outside my door." [...] "I hope that this presence and the lack of rushing around will help us tackle issues that my neighborhood is historically known for suffering from, such as gentrification and racist systems of development in properties and built environments."
—Greg in Central District, Seattle
"Collaboration is a really great form of solidarity in times of crisis, including our current public health crisis."
—Greg in Central District, Seattle
As we all are affected in different levels by disparity, loss, uncertainty, and rising adrenaline, the need to have authentic sources of joy, beauty, and reflection to sustain us in balance becomes more pressing. We want to acknowledge how reciprocal the Resiliency Portrait process has been for us in providing that and to express thanks to all who made it happen.
"This time has expanded my artistic creativity [and] it will be something we'll tell our kids about someday."
—Dori in Lower Queen Anne, Seattle
@goldsuit on Pine & Broadway
@goldsuit on Pine & Broadway
@rainbow_tay_tay_tay on Broadway & Pine Street
