Caroline Davis
American, born 1963
Caroline Davis chose to make traditional African-American baptisms the focus of her fine arts work in the 1990s.
Born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, she feels the ceremonies of the Baptist church are an important part of her Southern heritage. Although she is not African American, Davis retains ties to that community, and feels very much at home in there.
Davis has photographed baptisms in Alabama’s Greene, Sumter, and Hale counties, working in rivers and creeks as well as church baptisteries. A wide range of effects can be achieved depending upon how she positions herself in relation to the water. When she is completely submerged, she achieves a calm composition that suggests peace, as in "And A Voice Came From Heaven: You Are My Son, Whom I Love; With You I Am Well Pleased" (2001.6.1) In contrast, when Davis stands in the water and shoots what occurs at its surface, she can capture the image of a person entering or emerging from the water, which often includes dramatic splashes, as in this image, "New Christian Risen."
American, born 1963
New Christian Risen
1998
Object Type:
Photograph
Dimensions:
7 1/4 x 11 in. (18.42 x 27.94 cm)
Medium and Support:
Gelatin silver print on paper
Accession Number:
2001.0006.0003
Credit Line:
Gift of the artist
Caroline Davis chose to make traditional African-American baptisms the focus of her fine arts work in the 1990s.
Born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, she feels the ceremonies of the Baptist church are an important part of her Southern heritage. Although she is not African American, Davis retains ties to that community, and feels very much at home in there.
Davis has photographed baptisms in Alabama’s Greene, Sumter, and Hale counties, working in rivers and creeks as well as church baptisteries. A wide range of effects can be achieved depending upon how she positions herself in relation to the water. When she is completely submerged, she achieves a calm composition that suggests peace, as in "And A Voice Came From Heaven: You Are My Son, Whom I Love; With You I Am Well Pleased" (2001.6.1) In contrast, when Davis stands in the water and shoots what occurs at its surface, she can capture the image of a person entering or emerging from the water, which often includes dramatic splashes, as in this image, "New Christian Risen."
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