If We Stand Tall: Recollections of Spirits Past

Through decades of Black figurative film-based photography, Cheryl Miller chronicles everyday experiences in the series “If We Stand Tall: Recollections of Spirits Past”—the rituals, social dynamics, and cultural nuances that define African American communities. Her lens records the resilience and magnificence of these communities, transcending historical legacies of enslavement and systemic racism. A native New Yorker and former Queens resident now based in Boston, Miller is a seasoned global traveler whose work embodies the spirit of her diverse experiences. Each photograph in this exhibition is a testament to honoring and revering ancestors, forging a timeless connection between past and present. Miller’s approach reveals her invisible yet palpable presence within each frame, echoing the Yoruba belief in the enduring essence (Ori) of individuals. As you explore “If We Stand Tall”, immerse yourself in a narrative that transcends imagery. It’s a journey through history, culture, and community, where every photograph whispers the eternal essence of a people united by heritage and resilience.

Artist Bios

Cheryl Miller

Cheryl Miller’s photographic practice has documented over 40 years of quotidian Black life: images of African Americans viewed through a variety of everyday positive, relatable, uplifting, and ordinary experiences. She strives to capture/create the visual simplicity of her subjects by emphasizing highlights and shadows, while studying the human condition from a visual perspective. Miller’s work has been exhibited internationally. It is in the collections of the Brooklyn Museum, Museum of the City of New York, the Schomburg Center for Black Culture and Research, in other art institutions, and in private collections. Miller’s photographs have also been widely published in numerous books and articles.

Organizations

MFON: Women Photographers of the African Diaspora

MFON: Women Photographers of the African Diaspora is an independently published anthology edited by Laylah Amatullah Barrayn and Adama Delphine Fawundu. MFON features photographic works created by 118 African and Diasporic women artists representing 27 nations. It will soon be relaunched as an online platform. Our goal is to promote an international representative voice of women photographers from continental Africa and its diaspora.
MPB

MPB transforms the way that people buy, sell and trade photo and video gear. As the largest global platform for used photography and videography equipment, MPB is a destination for everyone, whether you’ve just discovered your passion for visual storytelling or you’re already a pro.

Founded by Matt Barker in 2011, MPB has always been committed to making gear more accessible and affordable, and helping to visualize a more sustainable future. MPB recirculates more than 485,000 used products every year, extending the life and creative potential of photo and video equipment for creators around the world.

Headquartered in the creative communities of Brooklyn, Brighton and Berlin, the MPB team includes trained camera experts and seasoned photographers and videographers who bring their passion to work every day to deliver outstanding service.
Photoville

Founded in 2011 in Brooklyn, NY, Photoville was built on the principles of addressing cultural equity and inclusion, which we are always striving for, by ensuring that the artists we exhibit are diverse in gender, class, and race.

In pursuit of its mission, Photoville produces an annual, city-wide open air photography festival in New York City, a wide range of free educational community initiatives, and a nationwide program of public art exhibitions.

By activating public spaces, amplifying visual storytellers, and creating unique and highly innovative exhibition and programming environments, we join the cause of nurturing a new lens of representation.

Through creative partnerships with festivals, city agencies, and other nonprofit organizations, Photoville offers visual storytellers, educators, and students financial support, mentorship, and promotional & production resources, on a range of exhibition opportunities.

For more information about Photoville visit, www.photoville.com