The Pieces We Are - Authority Collective

“Pieces We Are” references an adapted excerpt from the novel Beloved :

“She is a friend of my mind. She gather me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order.”

This gallery of images visually represents how, as womyn photographers of color, we have collectively gathered ourselves from the fog and confusion of the coronavirus pandemic and put ourselves back together. The photos speak to being in community with each other, valuing and elevating intimacy at home and beyond as we protest injustice and the pandemic of white supremacy while in the shadow of COVID. 

This gallery was curated by Danielle Scruggs and Tara Pixley, both Board Members of Authority Collective and independent photo editors.

Alexis Hunley

Following several weeks of flu-like symptoms and self-isolation my sister takes a short walk on our street to get some fresh air. April 5, 2020. Los Angeles, CA.
https://www.alexishunley.com
@byalexishunley

Carmen Daneshmandi

A popular pedestrian walkway on the main stretch near our apartment is the paved off, tree-lined drag that runs right down the middle of Paseo Sagasta. Like most public spaces in Zaragoza, the playground is usually populated with just as many older couples and their dogs as children hanging out. Roped off, primary-colored and bound together, the swing set looked like a public health arts and crafts piece. Not sure about the functionality, but you can't help but smile at the efforts.
www.carmendaneshmandi.com
@carmendaneshmandi

Carmen Daneshmandi

Part of what makes this end of the apartment our designated "green room," a sanctuary during times like these, is for the way it hits the five senses. While I can't go outside I can nearly catch myself on the other side of those windows, growing amongst the trees, shining off of every neighbor's clothing line, echoing with the symphony of courtyard coexistence and domestic resilience.
www.carmendaneshmandi.com
@carmendaneshmandi

Cheriss May

After a month of no work, this self portrait was taken after coming back from my first assignment since the global coronavirus pandemic. I felt so uninspired, and uncertain about my future.
https://cherissmay.com/
@cherissmay

Hannah Yoon

My husband Charles. I’m not used to being around him this much. I'm used to having my own space and time at home when he's away at work. I find I need to be more mindful of him and the space we share. April 20, 2020. Philadelphia
http://www.hannahyoon.com
@hanloveyoon

Samanta Helou Hernandez

Teresa Martinez and Sandra Morena Tejada prepare a to-go order at California Grill, a Salvadoran restaurant in East Hollywood that served as a meeting place for the predominantly Central American community prior to COVID-19. The restaurant remains open for pick up and delivery, but Tejada says business has slowed down significantly.
http://www.samantahelou.com
@Sami_Helou

Diana Cervantes

Our bird, Finn, perches atop the bedroom window on the morning of March 28 while my partner Jonathan reaches out to her. This image is part of an ongoing series documenting our daily life as we shelter in place in our Crown Heights apartment in Brooklyn.
www.dianalcervantes.com
@dee_sea_photo

Dee Dwyer

On May 16, 2020 my family gathered together to celebrate the life of my Aunt Alesia's birthday. She was one of the family's matriarchs who passed away January 16th of 2020. Alesia's great niece jumps double dutch at her birthday celebration. Double dutch is a black girls tradition. It's one of our healing circles.
www.deedwyerjonts.com
@deedwyerjonts

Hannah Yoon

Michael Deshields, right, stands with his son Ayden Deshields 5, as they wait for the 23 bus on Germantown Avenue in the Mt. Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA on Wednesday, April 29, 2020. Deshields says he’s been a bit nervous and hasn’t left his house a lot. He thinks this is affecting poor people more and worries about his family.
http://www.hannahyoon.com
@hanloveyoon

Dee Dwyer

On May 16, 2020 my family and friends gathered together to celebrate the life of my Aunt Alesia's birthday who was one of the family's matriarchs. She passed away January 16th of 2020. In this photo Alesia's great niece "Zara" shows the family her split right before we sang Happy Birthday. She was excited to perform in front of family because it had been months since she'd seen everyone due to quarantine.
www.deedwyerjonts.com
@deedwyerjonts

Sarahbeth Maney

Sandy Brown holds photographs of her late husband and son, Elder Freddie L. "Lucky" Brown Jr. and Freddie L. Brown III, 20, who both died from the coronavirus three days apart.
Sandy Brown envisioned hundreds of people gathered for the burial– but fear of spreading the virus prevented friends and relatives from leaving their cars. “Everything we do from a religious and cultural perspective, I’ve been unable to do,” Sandy said. “My challenges with getting my husband and son to rest has been overwhelming.”
Sandy and Lucky shared a 35 year marriage together. Their son dreamt of joining the Michigan State University football team in the fall and received a jersey in the mail shortly after his death. He sang in the church choir and won over his classmates with his personality. “I’m very proud of him, Sandy said about her only child. "He was a good son."
In Genesee County, Black residents make up 20 percent of the population but accounted for 49 percent of COVID-19 cases and 53 percent of deaths.
https://sbmaneyphoto.com
@sbmaneyphoto

Alexis Hunley

Exhausted after enduring a painful COVID-19 nasal swab my sister sits patiently and listens to the doctor chat with my parents. April 8, 2020. Los Angeles, CA.
https://www.alexishunley.com
@byalexishunley

Alexis Hunley

Families find time in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic to spend an afternoon in the sun in View Park. May 16, 2020. Los Angeles, CA. May 16, 2020.
https://www.alexishunley.com
@byalexishunley

Sarahbeth Maney

(Left to right) Trayc Cunningham, Angel Misener and Brianna Neeley prepare to surprise graduating seniors at their homes on the day that prom was cancelled due to coronavirus concerns on Friday, May 8, 2020 at Beecher High School in Mount Morris.
“This was better than a prom walk,” said Cunningham. “Seeing their smiles and their parents’ smiles and even some tears made me know that what we did was all worth it.”
https://sbmaneyphoto.com
@sbmaneyphoto

Diana Cervantes

Victoria’s mother brushes her hair in preparation for Victoria’s graduation from the High School of Fashion Industries on Sunday May 17 in D.U.M.B.O. Many people were out in the area attempting to celebrate special occasions in the face of COVID-19.
www.dianalcervantes.com
@dee_sea_photo

Sarahbeth Maney

Vallejo resident Louis Michael, 22, raises his fist in solidarity after the death of George Floyd, who was killed by police officers in Minneapolis, sparking international outrage.
Michael wears his graduation cap and gown after receiving his bachelors degree in communications from MidAmerica Nazarene University in Kansas, during a protest on Friday, May 29, 2020 in Oakland.
https://sbmaneyphoto.com
@sbmaneyphoto

Sarahbeth Maney

A demonstrator scales a light post during a protest in honor of George Floyd on Friday, May 29, 2020 in Oakland.
More than 5,000 people gathered in solidarity for Floyd, a black man who was killed at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis after pleading the words “I can’t breathe.” The protest turned chaotic after confrontations escalated between protesters and police officers.
https://sbmaneyphoto.com
@sbmaneyphoto

Sylvia Jarrus

Residents watch from their homes as protestors march through Southwest Detroit during the second consecutive day of protests against police brutality and the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others on Saturday, May 30, 2020 in Detroit, Mich.
sylviajarrus.samexhibit.com
@sylviajarrusphoto

Sarahbeth Maney

Brianna Noble, 25, rides her horse named Dirty Dan, through the streets of downtown Oakland at the start of a protest honoring George Floyd, who was killed by police in Minneapolis, sparking international outrage.
"There is no image bigger than a black woman on a large horse," said Noble. "This is the image we would like to see portrayed in our community."
https://sbmaneyphoto.com
@sbmaneyphoto

Sarahbeth Maney

A group of men gather on top of a roof to view a demonstration of more than 5,000 people gathered to honor the life of George Floyd on Friday, May 29, 2020 in Oakland.
https://sbmaneyphoto.com
@sbmaneyphoto

The Authority Collective is a group of more than 200 womxn, non-binary and gender expansive people of color working in the photography, film and VR/AR industries.

Our mission is to empower marginalized artists with resources and community, and to take action against systemic and individual abuses in the world of lens-based editorial, documentary and commercial visual work.

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