Shelby Lee Adams: salt & truth May 4 — June 30, 2012
Shelby Lee Adams was born in 1950 in Hazard, a small town in eastern Kentucky. Although he grew up in the back seat of his father's car, moving from place to place, he settled near Hot Spot, living with his grandparents while he attended high school. It was there, trapped between the worlds of country and town kids, that Adams found solace in art and photography books.
Then, in the mid 1960s, the Peace Corps and other government agencies descended on Appalachia to document the poverty sweeping the area. When a film crew visited his hometown, Adams took them to his meet his grandparents and his uncle, a country doctor. When the media described them as malnourished and poor, his friends and family felt betrayed. This devastated Adams, who felt he had misled the people he so dearly loved -- an experience that profoundly impacted his life and launched a career in photography dedicated to the region.
For more than thirty years, Shelby Lee Adams has been photographing in Appalachia, visiting families within the mountain hollers. Salt & Truth is his fourth book dedicated to the people of this region, and is a testament to his commitment to present his friends and family with dignity and truth. Although he now lives in Massachusetts, Shelby Lee Adams' heart is forever in Appalachia.
All black and white images are available as 16 x 20" and/or 11 x 14" toned gelatin silver prints made in editions of 25. Pieces range in price from $900 to $3000, depending on size and availability.
All color images are available as 16 x 20" and/or 11 x 14" pigment prints made in editions of 25. Pieces range in price from $900 to $3000, depending on size and availability.
Please call: (312) 266 - 2350 for prices of specific pieces. Prices are print only unless otherwise indicated.
Shelby Lee Adams 105 Degrees at the Napier's, 1994
Shelby Lee Adams,105 Degrees at the Napier's, 1994
From the Black and White series
11 x 14” and 16 x 20" toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Berthie Napier with Pipe and John, 1992
Shelby Lee Adams,Berthie Napier with Pipe and John, 1992
From the Black and White series
11 x 14” and 16 x 20" toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Billy Ray, 2003
Shelby Lee Adams,Billy Ray, 2003
From the Black and White series
11 x 14” and 16 x 20" toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Brenda , 2004
Shelby Lee Adams,Brenda , 2004
From the Black and White series
11 x 14” and 16 x 20" toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Children with Blind Horse , 2008
Shelby Lee Adams,Children with Blind Horse , 2008
From the Black and White series
11 x 14” and 16 x 20" toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Dan, Krissy & Leddie, 1993
Shelby Lee Adams,Dan, Krissy & Leddie, 1993
From the Black and White series
11 x 14” and 16 x 20" toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Driving Straight to Hell, 1988
Shelby Lee Adams,Driving Straight to Hell, 1988
From the Black and White series
11 x 14” and 16 x 20" toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Eagle's Nest, 2008
Shelby Lee Adams,Eagle's Nest, 2008
From the Black and White series
11 x 14” and 16 x 20" toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Eddie Wayne Living Room, 2010
Shelby Lee Adams,Eddie Wayne Living Room, 2010
From the Black and White series
11 x 14” and 16 x 20" toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Frankie with Shucky Beans, 2002
Shelby Lee Adams,Frankie with Shucky Beans, 2002
From the Black and White series
14 x 11” and 20 x 16” toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams James, 2003
Shelby Lee Adams,James, 2003
From the Black and White series
14 x 11” and 20 x 16” toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Jamie & NayBug, 2008
Shelby Lee Adams,Jamie & NayBug, 2008
From the Black and White series
14 x 11” and 20 x 16” toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Jeffrey & Adam, 2004
Shelby Lee Adams,Jeffrey & Adam, 2004
From the Black and White series
14 x 11” and 20 x 16” toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Jerry at James' Funeral, 2009
Shelby Lee Adams,Jerry at James' Funeral, 2009
From the Black and White series
14 x 11” and 20 x 16” toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Kizzie at Flowerpots, 1995
Shelby Lee Adams,Kizzie at Flowerpots, 1995
From the Black and White series
14 x 11” and 20 x 16” toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Larry in Garage, 2004
Shelby Lee Adams,Larry in Garage, 2004
From the Black and White series
11 x 14” and 16 x 20" toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Leddie with Children, 1990
Shelby Lee Adams,Leddie with Children, 1990
From the Black and White series
11 x 14” and 16 x 20" toned gelatin silver print
Edition of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Leslie, 2007
Shelby Lee Adams,Leslie, 2007
From the Black and White series
14 x 11” and 20 x 16” toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Lloyd Deane with Family and Coal Truck, 2002
Shelby Lee Adams,Lloyd Deane with Family and Coal Truck, 2002
From the Black and White series
11 x 14” and 16 x 20" toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Louverna, 2008
Shelby Lee Adams,Louverna, 2008
From the Black and White series
14 x 11” and 20 x 16” toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Louverna's Funeral, 2008
Shelby Lee Adams,Louverna's Funeral, 2008
From the Black and White series
11 x 14” and 16 x 20" toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Loyd Dean's Pool Table, 2006
Shelby Lee Adams,Loyd Dean's Pool Table, 2006
From the Black and White series
11 x 14” and 16 x 20" toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Martha and Kizzie with Recycled Water Bottles, 2009
Shelby Lee Adams,Martha and Kizzie with Recycled Water Bottles, 2009
From the Black and White series
14 x 11” and 20 x 16” toned gelatin silver print
Editions of 25
Shelby Lee Adams Napier Brothers with Puppies, 1993
Shelby Lee Adams,Napier Brothers with Puppies, 1993