The Center for Photography at Woodstock (CPW) is showcasing "Between a Memory and Me," a comprehensive exhibition featuring the work of photographer Rahim Fortune, born in 1994 in Austin, Texas, and raised within the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma. The exhibition, running through January 11, 2026, presents Fortune's powerful photographic exploration of American identity through intimate connections between families, communities, and the land they inhabit.
Fortune uses photography as a tool to interrogate American identity, particularly focusing on the deep relationships between the people he photographs and the Southern landscapes they call home. His work delves into the stories inscribed within the Southern United States landscape and examines the traditions that communities continue to preserve and perpetuate across generations.
The exhibition prominently features Fortune's black-and-white photography project "Hardtack," which weaves together tender and respectful portraits, expansive landscapes, and intimate close-up detail studies. These works concentrate on African American life and draw from the rich history of photography while simultaneously reconfiguring the historical narrative of photographic representation in the American South.
The project carries profound personal significance for Fortune, emerging from his own quest to rebuild connections, find kinship, and establish a sense of home following the devastating loss of both his parents. This personal journey infuses his work with authenticity and emotional depth that resonates throughout the exhibition.
For the first time, the exhibition presents Fortune's new color photographs, created in response to the Texas African American Photography Archive. These never-before-seen works represent an evolution in his artistic practice and expand his exploration of Southern identity and heritage.
The exhibition also features Fortune's short film, which takes viewers on a contemplative journey through the fields and rural roads of Texas. The film lovingly lingers on silent and exquisite details, capturing the essence of the landscapes that have shaped the communities Fortune documents.
The presentation includes new photographs originally commissioned by Aperture and Documentary Arts, demonstrating the growing recognition of Fortune's significant contribution to contemporary photography. The exhibition is located at CPW, 25 Dederick Street, Kingston, NY 12401, with more information available at www.cpw.org.
