This article was originally published at hussman.unc.edu.
A series of photographs depicts the bond of a mother and daughter navigating through sickness, special needs and the push-pull role of caretaker. This 13-image series tells a story without a single word.
Another photo series features five different men embodying the traits and actions the artist feels when connecting with others.
A third exhibition, features a master’s thesis presentation, highlighting the implicit bias against black hair in the workplace and challenging social beauty standards.
A fourth piece, a video documentary, tells the story of a high school girl left wheelchair bound after a traumatic brain injury. With support from her college band director, her college experience transforms.
The four works titled “A mother’s love; a daughter’s journey” by Anna Connors ’24, “Connection” by Eleazar Yisrael ’25, “We Are Not Our Hair” by Malana Johnson ’24 (M.A.) and “Accelerando” by McKenzie Bulris ’25 all started as projects the students completed for a class or program. The works were then nominated for the gallery by their professors, who recognized the power and importance of the pieces.
After being nominated, the works were reviewed by a committee of faculty and staff.
“It began as a story of what happens when a caregiver begins to need long term care herself,” said Connors, photographer of “A mother’s love; a daughter’s journey.” “I think now it’s more about the ups and downs of daily life in a really rocky time of a family’s life.”
Now, having worked with the featured family for over a year, her goal is to turn her work into a book.
All four works are showcased in the Carter-Tinson Gallery’s, ‘Rising Voices II’ exhibit – the second installation of the ‘Rising Voices’ series that first debuted in October 2023.
Located on the third floor of the Curtis Media Center, ‘Rising Voices II’ was unveiled in the Carter-Tinson Gallery on October 10, 2024. The ‘Rising Voices’ series showcases work that amplifies voices and issues impacting communities marginalized by society.
The Carter-Tinson Gallery exists from years of planning and support from two UNC Hussman alumni and donors, J.J. Carter ’96, global president and chief executive officer at FleishmanHillard, and David Tinson ’96, chief experiences officer at Electronic Arts.
The gallery space is dedicated to celebrating UNC Hussman students who drive social inclusion through communications. The exhibition is a result of the collaboration between Carter, Tinson and UNC Hussman’s Access, Belonging, Inclusion, Dignity and Excellence (ABIDE) committee.
“The opportunity to bring people together, to listen to one another, and learn from one another, to maybe not agree but to understand one another, is communications at its core,” said Carter. “Any opportunity to celebrate when and where communications closes those gaps in a world that seems increasingly divided, I think we should seize on those opportunities. Looking at students who are coming into the world today who innately understand that communications is the solution is inspiring.”
Raul Reis, dean of UNC Hussman, views the gallery as an essential addition to the atmosphere of the school.
“The UNC Hussman community is committed to fostering an atmosphere in which people feel welcomed and encouraged to share different views, perspectives and life experiences,” said Reis. “The Carter-Tinson Gallery has become a cornerstone tradition within that commitment. It provides the opportunity and the space for more voices in our community to be heard, considered and better understood.”
To view the gallery, click here.