Shelby Lee Adams ist tief in den Appalachen von Eastern Kentucky verwurzelt und widmet seine fotografische Linse dem Leben seiner Bewohner. Seine eindringlichen Bilder, geboren aus intimer Beobachtung, bieten einen tiefen Einblick in die Kultur und Traditionen dieser einzigartigen Region. Adams' Werk wurde durch zahlreiche Einzelausstellungen anerkannt und ist in den Sammlungen bedeutender internationaler Museen vertreten. Seine Fotografien sind ein eindrucksvolles Zeugnis für den beständigen Geist und die komplexen Realitäten des Lebens in den Appalachen.
The collection presents a vivid portrayal of the unique people and culture inhabiting the remote Appalachian mountains. Through striking images, it captures the essence of their lifestyle, traditions, and the breathtaking natural landscape, offering an intimate glimpse into a world often overlooked.
The Book of Life presents Shelby Lee Adam’s color photographs of four generations of the Appalachian people. Adams began photographing the inhabitations of the rural Appalachian mountain range in 1974, using black-and-white film and Polaroid materials. In time he also worked with color Kodachrome film, invariably returning to the Eastern Kentucky region where he was born. By 2010 Adams was photographing exclusively in digital color, and this book marks the first time he is sharing his color work. Adams has consistently focused on the valleys and homes of Kentucky families, relatives and neighbors in a predominantly seven-county region. He has often revisited individuals and families many times over decades, distributing his photos and books while creating new pictures. This personal approach has led to the creation of genuine and deep relationships between photographer and subject, in which the subject is often involved in unusually creative ways, verbalizing the emotions they would like to express during the shoot, and where and how they would like to be depicted.
The book features a compelling collection of photographs that capture the passage of time in the lives of Appalachian families. Through striking imagery, it explores the rich tapestry of their experiences, emotions, and resilience, offering a poignant glimpse into their everyday lives and the unique cultural heritage of the Appalachian region. Each photograph serves as a narrative, revealing the deep connections and stories that shape these families over the years.