CORY REYNOLDS | DATE 11/10/2014

LaToya Ruby Frazier: The Notion of Family

"As the work has grown over the years, I have tried to edit and frame it in ways so that viewers can imagine themselves a part of it. We all come from families and communities that are affected by local economies and industry. Themes like the body and landscape, familial and communal history, and private and public space are all universal. When viewers look into my photographs and texts I want them to feel deeply touched in a way that transcends race, class and gender, if only for one moment… This book is more than an art book of photographs. It is a history book that lends itself to art history; the history of photography; American history; American studies; women gender and sexuality studies; comparative literature studies; health studies; social and economic studies; labor studies; race relation studies; and more. It is my testimony and fight for social justice." Featured photograph, "Momme (Floral Comforter)" (2008), and excerpt from Latoya Ruby Frazier's published conversation with Dawoud Bey are reproduced from The Notion of Family, Frazier's superb new monograph from Aperture.