Spina Americana

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Of all the projects to have taken place as an examination of the United States, including epic documentations such as Richard Avedon’s American West and Robert Frank’s Americans, none has thoroughly explored a strict confine of the central United States that is commonly derided as “flyover country,” albeit abundant with complex histories, cultures, and natural resources.

Spina Americana (Spina meaning “spine” in Latin), by the acclaimed documentarian Richard Sharum, examines a cross-section of the United States as it currently stands, from the Colonias on the U.S.-Mexico border, to the Native American reservations in Oklahoma, Kansas, and the Dakotas, up to the oil-rich terrain at the U.S.-Canada border, and most of what is in between.

There is a vast spectrum of individuals and cultures that live within this “spine,” including Native Americans, Mennonites, Mexican Americans, and many others. In showing aspects of daily life, the richly developed photographs equalize the positions of mechanics, surgeons, police officers, prisoners, exotic dancers, politicians, migrant laborers, and others. All are contributing factors to what defines this part of the country. Sharum looks to this region as a key to understanding who we are as a country, where we came from, and the collective hope we have as a nation. He states, “I believe the camera is a sacred instrument, which simultaneously holds the humility of an anvil as well the power of a striking hammer. In my opinion, education leads to empathy, which is the first step in any change for social good or justice.”

As Manfred Zollner, the editor-in-chief of fotoMAGAZIN (Germany) so aptly wrote, “While the United States finds itself at political and socio-economic tipping point, Richard Sharum offers his images as a visual meeting point, a mediator between groups of people who may otherwise never speak with each other. The images operate counter to divisive issues such as political rhetoric, socioeconomic status, and religious beliefs. Instead, they focus on the connective threads of a nation that bring people together under a unified identity.”

The exhibition includes over 50 photographs, some life sized to encourage visitor immersion, and an introduction penned by photographic historian and curator April Watson. A book and documentary film about the project accompany the educational materials included.

 

About the Artist

Richard Sharum (b. 1978) is an editorial and documentary photographer based in Corning, New York. His work has been widely exhibited in the United States and internationally including in Brazil, Italy and Japan. Sharum’s photographs and books are held in permanent collections including that of the Witliff Center for Documentary Studies at Texas State University, the Amon Carter Museum, the Cleveland Museum of Art, amongst others. Sharum has been commissioned by The Meadows Foundation, Harvard Law School, Children’s Medical Center (Oncology) and the Children’s Cancer Fund amongst others. His photographs have been published in LFI (Leica International), British Journal of Photography, LensCulture, The Atlantic, Texas Monthly, Publico, El Pais, The Observer, The New York Times, Lens Blog, B+W Photo Magazine, HUCK Magazine, Glasstire, PATRONand Creative Review amongst others. Sharum has appeared on numerous podcasts including A Photographic Life Podcast with Grant Scott, the Foto Substack, amongst others. Sharum is represented by The Hulett Collection, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

 

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Exhibition Details

61 photographs, Approximately 4 stand-alone 3-D structures (size TBD)

  • Content

    Fee Includes:
    Press Kit
    Registrar’s Packet
    Programming Guide
    Gallery Guide
    Text Panels
    Narrative Labels
    Full Insurance
    Installation Instructions
    Custom-Designed and Built Crates

  • Curated By

    ExhibitsUSA

  • Organized By

    Mid-America Arts Alliance

  • Out-of-Region Rental Fee

    $7,300

  • In-Region Rental Fee

    $4,380

  • Duration

    7-week display

  • Shipping

    Van Line

  • Running Feet

    Approx. 230 ft.

  • Square Feet

    -

  • Security

    Standard

  • Number of Crates/Total Weight

    Approx. 7 crates

  • Insurance

    The exhibition is fully insured by ExhibitsUSA at no additional expense to you, both while installed and during transit.

Tour Schedule

Spina Americana is touring June 2027 through May 2032. The dates below reflect seven-week exhibition periods. Dates are subject to change; please contact MoreArt@maaa.org or (800) 473-3872 x208/209 for current availability.

Downloads & Resources

To view and download the Factsheet for Spina Americana, click HERE!