Grits

Grits, a Southern dish served warm with biscuits and shredded cheese on the side, was a notable dish served to Clarence Josey II's family at his grandparents and great-grandmother's home in Atmore, Alabama. This dish also catalyzes the deep investigation of Josey's southern roots and family archives. 

In his latest project, Grits, artist Clarence Josey II addresses themes of storytelling, Southern culture, and family traditions. Josey invites viewers into his great-grandmother's home in Atmore through warm-hued portraits of family members, captivating family gatherings, and notable aspects of the home that guide his approach to documenting. Adopting stories from his grandparents helped create a foundation for Josey's photographic practice. Josey emphasizes the importance of storytelling by creating soft-toned, tender images that draw on southern iconography and family archives. Josey offers us a window into his memories and how he uses his medium to archive these shared moments with his family. 

Each photograph offers an intimate glimpse into the members of Josey's lineage, his family archives, the spaces that hold his childhood memories, and portraits of members of his South Florida community. Josey's approach to photography is inspired by the care-conscious ways his grandparents have shared their family history and characteristics through photo albums and oral testimonies. 

This project expands with an immersive installation that allows visitors to sit with the work and discover further layers of connectivity. In this exhibition, we invite viewers to pause and reflect on the many characteristics that reside in our memories and homes, as well as those of our ancestors, which find their way into our practice and daily lives. 

Special thanks to Quiet Hours Gallery and Jared Cotta for their support throughout this project.