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Stewart Harvey
Portland, OR

I Am What I Need to Be

This is a photographic essay on the cultural imperative that seems to exist for the citizens of New Orleans to distinguish themselves as distinct individuals. Coming from Portland, which though it shares much of the liberal spirit of the Crescent City seems more enamored by cultural movements then the rabid individuals who create them, I was charmed by the willingness of New Orleanians to not only give sanctuary to the expressive odd ball, but to provide a platform for their development.

Character and characters abound in the Big Easy, but what separates New Orleans from other liberal cities is that individual eccentricity is cherished, and not simply for what a gifted soul might contribute, but for its own sake as yet another example of the rich cultural coinage that turned New Orleans into a national treasure.

Artist printed, boxed, hand-bound book with accordion fold structure. Digital pigment pages with archival inks on Moab Entrada Natural Matte paper. 56 pages. 11 x 8.5 x 1.5 inches. 2010. Edition of 45. $800.

To purchase, please contact Laura at 23 Sandy Gallery.