American
Daesha Devón Harris is a graduate of SUNY at Buffalo, had her thesis show at SUNY Anderson Gallery, and is now working in Saratoga, NY. She just received a grant from the prestigious Aaron Siskind Foundation. Her statement about her series, and yet must be…my Promise Land, articulates what she depicts in her portraits.
The historic African-American struggle for land and homeownership is an endeavor that was bred in slavery and for many, has yet to be realized. As for economic equality, the “Promised Land” of the Freedmen’s Bureau has been thwarted by many social systems, and though not defined by, Black communities continue to battle racism and classism which are still ever present, manifesting themselves in many ways, including gentrification.
The rippling effect of this phenomenon reaches all levels of society by uprooting and displacing members of the community. And yet must be...my Promise Land is inspired by the “life” that continues to evolve amidst struggle and success, embodied by the youth of my hometown, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. who illustrate the strength, faith and hope of a community.