Dawoud Bey - The Emory Project

In partnership with the Transforming Community Project (TCP), the Emory Visual Arts Department commissioned internationally renowned photographer Dawoud Bey to develop a series of portraits of the Emory community that communicates the University's diversity. This commission celebrates the culmination of TCP's five-year exploration of Emory's historic and current experiences of race, gender, sexuality and other forms of human difference.


Bey created twenty double portraits, each containing two members of the Emory community; these portraits, along with personal statements written by the portrait subjects, will be on view during this exhibition at the Visual Arts Gallery before they go to their permanent home on Emory’s main campus. Additional programs will include a lecture by Dawoud Bey and a week-long celebration of the making of “The Emory Project,” featuring participant testimonials, documentary footage by Hal Jacobs, and opportunities for additional members of the Emory community to participate in the project.

I had the great fortune of being one of those photographed by Bey. To say I was honored would be an understatement. As a photographer myself, I felt inspired and mentored by him in an instant. I watched his every move. I listened closely to everything he said. He made me feel comfortable, but at the same time, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.


Last week, there was a private reception for those of us who were photographed. We were able to sneak a peak at the website as well as the accompanying documentary. I can't wait to see Dawoud next year and to celebrate the public unveiling of The Emory Project. Stay Tuned.