Black-and-white photographs a look back at Daufuskie Island

Daufuskie Island is still there, but the world captured in images to be exhibited at the Gibbes Museum starting Friday no longer exists. The island has been developed, and many of the people have moved on to other places, other lives.

The exhibit of 40 photographs taken on Daufuskie Island decades ago by Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe will be seen in the museum's Rotunda Galleries through Jan. 10.

Works to be shown in the exhibit "Daufuskie Island: Photographs by Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe" are taken from her book, "Daufuskie Island: Photographic Essay," which recently was released in an expanded 25th-anniversary edition.

"In some ways, it's just been magical to revisit the photographs," says the photographer. "I did go back and have had some contact with the people there."

Her most recent visit was May 2008.

Only the people of Hilton Head and Daufuskie islands and South Carolina's historians thought that the photographic project was important enough to invest themselves, their images and their hearts in the project 25 years ago, says Moutoussamy-Ashe. She says many people have developed an interest in the Gullah people and culture since then.

"I wrote in my original preface that they chose to trust me and trust that the pictures I was taking of them would somehow be worth it in the end," she says. "Because the Daufuskie I photographed no longer exists, I know now that these photos are an invaluable archive for the islanders and greater American society."

The photographer's fascination with Daufuskie began during visits to Hilton Head Island with her late husband and tennis great, Arthur Ashe, in the 1970s. It led to black-and-white photographs of individuals, families and work in the Gullah community there from 1977 to 1981.

Daufuskie's residents such as those on other Gullah/Geechee islands not connected to the mainland by a bridge lived in relative isolation until the mid-20th century. Due to the isolation, their language and culture remained strongly influenced by their African heritage. Since then, telephones, televisions and other vehicles of mainland culture have introduced additional influences.

"This exhibition helps to preserve the culture of the rural South for future generations. We are delighted to have the opportunity to feature these sensitive, beautifully executed photographs by Moutoussamy-Ashe in conjunction with the recent publication of her book," says Angela Mack, Gibbes executive director.

"Daufuskie Island: Photographs by Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe" is organized by art2art Circulating Exhibitions and was made possible by funding from the auxiliary group Gibbes, etc. A book signing is scheduled for Nov. 18.

Reach Wevonneda Minis at 937-5705 or wminis@postandcourier.com.