Hometown Love
When NewTown Macon launched a photo gallery in the alleys of our downtown, one photographer in particular lingered with me. All of the photographers were asked to capture scenes from Macon. Some were of notable people or places, some captured a scene from above or the city skyline, but the one that I couldn’t forget was of a truck piled high with tires. It might have been the bright colors or contrasting elements, but I think it was the simplicity that captured my attention. The photograph showcased a scene one might pass daily on the way to or from work and highlighted the soul of something simple.
As I passed through the alley-turned-gallery on its opening night, I met the artist herself. Sydney A. Foster had a smile as bright as the golden-yellow truck in the photograph. An Alabama native, her encounter with Macon was fresh and raw. As she explored our community, I am sure she captured tons of lively, meaningful, colorful moments, all fit to be featured. I do not know what made her choose the truck as the photo for the gallery, but it seemed to me that she understood Macon. Foster seemed to understand Macon in the way siblings who grew up in different parts of the country but share the same dad understand his particular version of abandonment.
Sure, I may be overthinking it, but months later that photo lingered with me. Upon researching Foster, I discovered her portfolio is impressive, to say the least. She shoots commercial, portraits, fashion, and in addition to all of that she has personal projects. I reached out to her to share a bit more about her current projects.
A few projects that I’m currently working on are: “The Brown Girl That Could” and “Walks In The South”. Both projects are centered around defying the odds but differ because one is specifically catered and centered around the African American woman and our story. I would consider it to be a story telling visual project. Walks in the South is a story telling project that has gotten me out of my comfort zone to embrace what’s really going on in the South and to remind me to love where I come from.
Foster is using her medium of photography to promote loving your hometown and, I would argue, loving yourself. By owning one’s place in the story of the south, the influence each of us can have is taken hold of. Claiming our influence is a form of self-love and a form of hometown love. The truck that Foster choose to reflect her perspective of Macon showed something a little beat up, yet still active in its function. Something considered mundane, yet vibrant with color. Something with soul.
Foster is so much more than a talented photographer, she is a story-teller and an artist. Without a doubt, she is a woman to watch.
