Photograph by
Higgins, Chester, American, born 1946
Subject of
People of the Sun Middle Passage Collective, American, founded 1989
Unidentified Woman or Women
Date
1995
Medium
silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions
H x W (image): 6 5/16 × 9 9/16 in. (16 × 24.3 cm)
H x W (sheet): 6 15/16 × 10 in. (17.7 × 25.4 cm)
Description
A black-and-white gelatin silver print photograph of three women engaged in a memorial ritual for enslaved African ancestors of the Middle Passage during the annual event held by the People of the Sun Middle Passage Collective in Coney Island. The women, all wearing long white dresses, stand in knee-deep foamy waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Their heads are bowed, and they hold each other's hands. They are shown against a plain grey sky. The photograph is set in matte white backing with a printed white gallery label on the reverse.
Place captured
Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Sacred and Ceremonial Objects
Photographs and Still Images
Type
gelatin silver prints
Topic
Christianity
Communities
Middle Passage
Photography
Prayer
Religion
Slavery
Spirituality
Women
Worship services
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2022.18.3
Restrictions & Rights
© Chester Higgins, All Rights Reserved
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5cfaeb585-ddf9-4e37-9b2c-3e814c207972

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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