Black life in photos

Bobby Rogers graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) nine years ago. This summer, he’s part of the exhibit, “Grow As We Are” featuring photographs of the Black residents of Oak Bluffs in Martha’s Vineyard.

 

Rogers first visited Martha’s Vineyard in 2018 as an artist-in-residence. During his stay, he learned about the communities and inhabitants, especially of Oak Bluffs, a historically Black community in Martha’s Vineyard. Rogers noticed that there was little awareness of the neighborhood and their connection to Black history, especially through photo documentation.

 

In 2020, Rogers and others combined their talents to create a multi-disciplinary creative media studio, The Bureau. In 2021, Rogers and The Bureau business partner and friend, Fadumo Ali, went to Martha’s Vineyard with the goal of capturing the relationships between the residents and visitors of Oak Bluffs, and highlighting their connection to the land. 

 

“As archivists and artists who care about things like this, we wanted to figure out a way to capture this part of diasporic history,” Rogers said. 

 

Rogers grew up in Minneapolis, and studied design and illustration at MCAD. After graduating, Rogers leaned into photography and now combines the three in his work. Ali was born in Saudi Arabia, but grew up primarily in Minnesota. Passionate about teaching,  Ali was a finalist for the 2023 Minnesota teacher of the year as an English teacher at Hopkins High School. Working in the past as a movement photographer, Ali uses photography to document underrepresented stories. Both artists currently live in Minneapolis.

 

“I’m realizing that I care more about the educational aspect of it,” Ali said. “Helping with this exhibition merges the passion that I have for education.” 

 

The Bureau curates art exhibitions, like “Grow As We Are,” designs and sells clothing, conducts research and creates space for community conversations. They infuse refined artistic aesthetics with community-oriented activations. The Bureau has opened exhibits in multiple states, various Minnesota neighborhoods and museums like the Walker Art Museum in Minneapolis.  

 

“We address problems with multiple creative solutions,” Rogers said. 

 

The first “Grow As We Are” exhibition took place  in August 2022 at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, and opened to the Minnesota public on June 9, 2023 at MCAD. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. people walked around the gallery stopping to look at the photos of Oak Bluff community members. Sounds of bird songs coming from a small speaker were drowned out by the dj’s afrobeat and r&b tunes. Parents brought their kids while others traveled in groups, but the environment was structured by the artists to encourage new connections to form. 

 

“There’s something about physical images that you just can’t capture in writing entirely,” Ali said. 

 

As the large majority of Martha’s Vineyard is White populated, The Bureau highlights another perspective with “Grow As We Are.” The exhibit is that of a Black experience, and the historical impact on Martha’s Vineyard. Rogers and Ali shared how Oak Bluffs has played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement, and continues to develop. For this piece, The Bureau felt it important to focus on the humanization of their subjects. Rather than cropping, blurring and heavily editing the photos, the team left details in the photos like potted plants and tapestries. The intention is to create a real connection between the viewer and the portrayed. 

 

“It feels more alive,” Rogers said. 

 

As an organization where the diaspora of Blackness is the heart of their work, The Bureau remains conscious of their involvement in the communities of Minnesota post the deaths of Jamar Clark, Philando Castile, George Floyd and many more. After the riots, movements and protests in 2020, the team noticed a shift in the way they were perceived being from Minnesota. Suddenly there was an awareness of the state, and concern for their well-being as Black people. For the team, experiences of injustice are fuel, but not the driving force. 

 

“It seems like a hot button thing that people talk about,” Ali said. “A lot more money has been poured into the city, but not much has changed.” 

 

The “Grow As We Are” exhibition closes at MCAD (2501 Stevens Ave.) Aug. 5 at 5 p.m.