Exhibition Overview Memphis-based Peruvian-American photographer Andrea Morales offers a profound portrayal of the Delta South, engaging deeply with the communities she documents. Her work counters stereotypical narratives and misperceptions, providing a more nuanced and authentic account of the region. Morales’s approach is shaped by “movement journalism,” which emphasizes that journalism, much like photography, is inherently subjective. This philosophy recognizes that journalists and photographers are active participants within the communities they cover, influenced by personal and institutional biases.
Movement Journalism Movement journalism challenges the notion of objective reporting by prioritizing the needs of communities affected by injustice. It centers on ethics, rigor, and the development of genuine relationships. Morales’s work includes a wide range of subjects, from intimate portraits and everyday life to the documentation of significant social and environmental movements.
Exhibition Details “Andrea Morales: Roll Down Like Water” features over sixty works by the artist, marking her first major touring exhibition and scholarly catalogue. The exhibition showcases the American South through Morales’s lens, capturing moments of turbulence, stillness, darkness, and beauty. Her images not only document these moments but also reflect on identity, community, and the transformative power of storytelling.
Support and Funding The exhibition is supported by The Henry Luce Foundation, the Terra Foundation for American Art, and the Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Charitable Foundation. All exhibitions at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art are underwritten by the MBMA Exhibition Fund. Major annual support is provided by Mary Lee Copp Formanek and Maggie and Milton Lovell, along with generous contributions from Anonymous, Gloria and Kenneth Boyland, Deborah and Bob Craddock, Michael and Maria Douglass, Harry Goldsmith, Eleanor and William Halliday, Debi and Galen Havner, Buzzy Hussey and Hal Brunt, Jay and Kristen Keegan, Dr. James Patterson, Dr. Rushton Patterson, Carl and Valerie Person, and Bill Townsend.
Curatorial Leadership Chief Curator: Dr. Rosamund Garrett Dr. Rosamund Garrett is the Chief Curator at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. Born in the United Kingdom, she completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh College of Art, followed by an MA and PhD at The Courtauld Institute of Art, London. Specializing in Northern European art of the Late Medieval and Renaissance periods, Dr. Garrett has held various museum positions in the UK, including roles at The National Trust and The Courtauld Gallery. Since moving to Memphis in 2018, she has curated exhibitions such as “Power & Absence: Women in Europe, 1500-1680,” “Mona Hatoum: Misbah,” and “On Christopher Street: Transgender Portraits by Mark Seliger.”
The exhibition “Andrea Morales: Roll Down Like Water” is a testament to Morales’s unique perspective and commitment to documenting the American South with integrity and depth, highlighting the importance of sustainable journalism and the powerful role of storytelling in understanding and representing diverse communities.