Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, a distinguished photographer from Chicago, has masterfully captured the essence of Black life on Daufuskie Island through her evocative images. Between 1977 and 1982, Moutoussamy-Ashe visited the island, creating a series of 13 intimate photographs that portray the lives of the Gullah Geechee people. Her work offers a candid glimpse into their world, contrasting sharply with the image crafted by white developers who have gradually transformed Daufuskie into a tourist destination. Now, these compelling photographs are featured in an exhibit at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City, titled “Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe and the Last Gullah Island,” available for viewing until May.
Moutoussamy-Ashe's journey to Daufuskie Island followed her return from a six-month independent study in West Africa. This experience likely influenced her approach to capturing the Gullah Geechee people, descendants of enslaved individuals who worked on Sea Island plantations and built communities along the eastern U.S. coast from North Carolina to Florida. The Gullah Geechee people on Daufuskie, once a thriving community, now represent just 3% of the island's population, a stark decline from the thousands who once inhabited it.
Building trust was fundamental to Moutoussamy-Ashe's work. Her ability to form genuine connections with the island's residents allowed her to photograph their lives with an authenticity that would otherwise be impossible.
"They allowed me the freedom and the generosity and the openness to allow me to come into their lives and photograph them." – Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe
Her photos include candid shots of weddings, stills from church gatherings, and everyday portraits that depict a cherished way of life that is increasingly endangered.
Particularly noteworthy is her portrait of Lavinia "Blossom" Robins, hailed as the "matriarch of the island." Blossom played a pivotal role in opposing development efforts that threatened the island's cultural fabric, including a proposed spa construction. Her leadership exemplifies the resilience and determination of the Daufuskie community to preserve their heritage.
Moutoussamy-Ashe's work serves as more than just artistic expression; it is a testament to the perseverance of a community facing significant challenges. The images provide proof of a resilient Daufuskie community that endures despite ongoing pressures to relinquish their land. They reflect an understanding among the islanders about the changes surrounding them:
"They began to understand what was happening to their island and what was happening over time," – Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe
This narrative underscores a broader theme of cultural preservation amidst external development pressures, as depicted through Moutoussamy-Ashe's lens.
The exhibit at the Whitney Museum not only celebrates Moutoussamy-Ashe's photographic prowess but also amplifies the voices and experiences of the Gullah Geechee people. It invites viewers to engage with a culture that has long been marginalized and often overlooked in mainstream narratives. By presenting these stories through her lens, Moutoussamy-Ashe offers a nuanced perspective that challenges prevailing stereotypes and highlights the rich cultural tapestry woven by the Gullah Geechee people.