Reflecting on his ancestry and the land in Beebe, Donavon Smallwood shares his thoughts.
In the world of contemporary photography, Donavon Smallwood stands out as an artist deeply engaged with themes of history, place, and identity. Known for series such as "Languor," which explores historical and cultural themes connected to Central Park and its history, Smallwood's work blends portraits with landscape photography to reflect on place and memory.
However, there is a lesser-known photographic series that Smallwood may be working on, titled "Beebe." This project, if it exists, focuses on Smallwood's family roots in small-town Washington, North Carolina. Unfortunately, specific details about this series are not widely documented or publicly released as per the current available sources.
Smallwood's family history is deeply intertwined with Beebe Chapel, a church whose earliest known member was a Smallwood ancestor. Beebe Chapel still stands today, with its foundation and burial grounds situated behind Smallwood's grandmother's home. The Chapel is located in North Carolina, but the biome surrounding it remains undetailed.
The Beebe project, if it exists, is set in this same biome. It includes photographs of the water that fractures the land, a subject that is not further described in the available information. The biome of North Carolina, where the project is located, is also not explicitly detailed.
In the Beebe project, Smallwood photographs not just the land, but also family members, friends, and the community that supports the project. This personal touch is a hallmark of Smallwood's work, as he often seeks to capture the essence of a place and its people through his lens.
For those interested in learning more about the "Beebe" series, checking specialized art publications, Smallwood’s official channels, or forthcoming exhibition catalogues would be advisable. As more information becomes available, we will update this article to reflect the latest findings.
In the Beebe project, Smallwood delves into the lifestyle and relationships of his family and community, set against the backdrop of home-and-garden surroundings in small-town Washington, North Carolina. This series, if it exists, is not only about landscape photography but also portraits of his family members and the community, mirroring the artist's dedication to capturing the essence of place and its people. Future publications, official channels, or exhibition catalogues could provide further details about this potential, yet underdocumented, photographic series.
