"Photography is a very effective and powerful way to express ideas, communicate emotions and document history for the world to behold," said Michael Cunningham.
Part of the Edgecombe County Memorial Library's Black History Month activities, Cunningham was originally scheduled for a book signing and mini hat and fashion show last month but due to a major snow storm in Maryland while he was in that area, the event was canceled.
Cunningham will be in Tarboro at 4 p.m. Sunday and will be in the Mobley Atrium of Edgecombe Community College.
The notable photographer will be on hand to discuss "Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats" (2000), "Spirit of Harlem: A Portrait of America's Most Exciting Neighborhood" (2003), "Queens: Portraits of Black Women and their Fabulous Hair" (2005) and "Jewels: 50 Phenomenal Black Women over 50" (2007), all of which he was photographer and collaborator.
With notoriety that stretches across the nation, Cunningham said that those books were his way of saying thank you.
"I don't know if there is a specific purpose for these books, just my way of saying "thanks" to beautiful, powerful people who don't always get to show off God's gifts to them and the world," he said.
Having four sisters, Brenda, Juanita, Ersel and Taricia, Cunningham is well aware of what goes into black women's hair and the importance of the Sunday hat.
"A friend of mine had just returned from a family reunion and mentioned the big fancy hats her relatives wore to church service and a light goes on in my head," explained Cunningham. "I could see those women's faces, the hats and my mother quoting a scripture to us as children, that women should cover their heads out of respect for God.
"I grew up seeing my sisters go through the rituals of pressing, fighting, generally dealing with hair issues," he said. "My co-author, George Alexander, and I wanted to explore this unique relationship."
Cunningham's career in photography began when he was 12 when an older brother brought home darkroom equipment he was using for a class.
"Being in the darkroom (our bathroom) allowed me personal time away from my six brothers and sisters and I was amazed at how I could expose a piece of light sensitive paper in chemicals under a red light and an image would appear," he said. "When my uncle eventually bought me a camera for Christmas, a Minolta XG-9, I was excited to take pictures of my large family and record moments in time to be cherished later."
By 18, Cunningham had started his own photography business but got his start at a North Carolina newspaper.
"I started out shooting general assignment for a newspaper in North Carolina. My personal work, my books, deal with real people, real life," he said. "I started my own photography business back when I was 18, there weren't many, still aren't, black commercial photographers around.
"No one in my family had artistic aspirations on a professional level," said Cunningham. "I credit my Uncle, Ernie Pitt, for giving me the courage to follow my dreams and become a professional artist."
During his career, Cunningham has had Coca-Cola USA, Lowes Foods, Sara Lee, RJR Tobacco and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation as clients.
His portrait work as received national attention in publications such as the New York Times, Ebony magazine, the Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times and USA Today.
Cunningham, 41, now lives in Winston-Salem and tells aspiring photographers to have a statement in mind when picking up the camera.
"Have something you want to say with your work," he said, "a statement, your personal vision and stick to it."
TGIF
Photographer strives to say ‘thank you’
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Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. to perform in Tarboro
Edgecombe Community College is pleased present an eclectic evening of classic pop, R&B and gospel music with Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. on Friday, February 24. The concert takes place at 8:00 PM in beautiful Keihin Auditorium on the Tarboro campus, and is the fourth of six concerts in the 2011-12 season of the Edgecombe Performance Series.
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A Capella Night at Keihin Auditorium
Edgecombe Community College is pleased present a fun evening of a capella singing on Friday, February 17. The term “a capella” (spelled “a cappella” in Italian) is a Latin phrase, meaning “in the style of the chapel.” The modern day use of the term in music is understood to mean “voices without instrumental accompaniment.” The February 17 concert features two of the regions premier collegiate male a capella ensembles, The Clef Hangers of UNC-Chapel Hill and The Pitchforks of Duke University. Both groups feature 12-16 singers who will perform close harmonies in a musical renewal of the famed Tobacco Road rivalry.
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Joyce Turner
Edgecombe Arts Executive Director, Joyce Turner shares pieces of art from her personal work.
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New children’s books sparkle any time of year
Last year was a stellar one for picture books, and my personal favorite was “Dave the Potter” winner of the Caldecott Medal for 2011. With illustrations by Bryan Collier, and text by Laban Carrick Hill, the book weaves the story of a South Carolina potter who signed his works merely “Dave.”
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Americana Singer-Songwriter performs in hometown
Local Americana singer and songwriter, Anna Vaughn Creech will grace the stage 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 at Saint Anne's Chapel in Tarboro with an acoustic guitar filled night of folk and rock music that is sure to keep audience members highly entertained and on their feet. -
‘A Christmas Carol’
The Tar River Players opened their seventh season with a gala production of Charles Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” this past weekend playing to a capacity crowd in McIntyre Auditorium.
“We were thrilled with the turnout for the first weekend of “A Christmas Carol” and even more excited by the responses we’ve received from those who have attended,” said Director Roberta Cashwell. -
Award winning S&D Choir to hold concert in Tarboro
Forty-two days after being tagged the, "Best Choir in America," the award winning Salvation & Deliverance Choir of Tarboro is bringing its show home.
At 7 p.m. on Dec. 9, at Keihin Auditorium on the campus of Edgecombe Community College in Tarboro, the Salvation and Deliverance Choir will present, "How Sweet the Tiding" concert featuring David and Tamela Mann. The show is expected to last two hours. -
The annual Hobson Pittman Holiday exhibition
The works have been selected for the annual Hobson Pittman Holiday exhibition, tentatively titled “Hobson Pittman: the artist’s travel journal”. The show is expected to be ready for public by next Friday.
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N.C. Symphony takes holiday music across state
Beginning in two weeks, the North Carolina Symphony will travel across the state, from New Bern to Lincolnton and more, for an annual family tradition, the orchestra’s Holiday Pops celebrations.
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"Alice's Restaurant"
For over 10 years, Tarboro's own Hannah Wilson has been waiting for the perfect opportunity to collaborate with her parents (Kevin and Trish Wilson, owners of Saint Anne's Chapel) on a special theatrical production. This November, her patience will finally pay off.
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