FREE THE WORK
Photograph by Da’Shaunae Marisa
Da’Shaunae Marisa is one of 20 Fellows who were awarded the inaugural Image Equity Fellowship. Learn more here.
Baby Girl & Dad:Father (2023) by Da’Shaunae MarisaFREE THE WORK
2nd and 3rd generation of the Hagood family. Father Ryan and baby Noelle.
Da’Shaunae Marisa’s mother was the family photographer. When Marisa was in kindergarten, her mother gave her a disposable camera to document her friends. That was the beginning. Marisa grew up in Cleveland and although she has extended family in Ohio, Georgia, and Virginia, they weren’t close until Marisa’s mother was diagnosed with cancer, which would become “the reason for an overdue reunion.”
Pamela & Da’Shaunae (2023) by Da’Shaunae MarisaFREE THE WORK
Diptych of Grandmother Pam and grandaughter Da'Shaunae. Two generations of women who share the same experience of loss.
Marisa’s work is about connectivity, about “finding all the similarities between different cultures and generations.” But it’s also about how emotions can be stored in the body and the face, protected most of the time, released only in spaces of trust and intimacy. After her mother passed away in May 2020, Marisa made a series of sensitive portraits with the muted color palette of Ohio’s early-spring light, probing questions about grief and survival.
Complex (2023) by Da’Shaunae MarisaFREE THE WORK
A visual collage consisting of multiple Instant portraits of a father, mother and son from the same family. They share a thread of grief expressed through unique personalities.
For her newest project, she invited her own family, a friend’s family, and twin brothers she met in South Africa into the studio, working with a large format camera and a Lomography Instant Back, often taking upwards of two hours to make detailed composite portraits. The long studio process allowed for deep discussions about grief “and how each family member processes that differently.” Sometimes you only see a fraction of what a person is thinking or feeling, if that’s all they can give.
Sonia (2023) by Da’Shaunae MarisaFREE THE WORK
Collage portrait of Sonia, grandmother to Da'Shaunae Marisa on her father's side.
Sometimes, as in Marisa’s patient, collaborative portraiture, you can catch glimpses of their true self.
Editorial statement by Aperture.
Caring (2023) by Da’Shaunae MarisaFREE THE WORK
My Mother's mother. We call her Grandma Pam. Two perspectives can be true at once in the eyes of a caring mother.
Philomath (2023) by Da’Shaunae MarisaFREE THE WORK
Collage portrait of the Hagood family. Six members of 3 generations were photographed and collaged together by color.
Larry (2023) by Da’Shaunae MarisaFREE THE WORK
Collage portrait of Larry Young, grandfather of Da'Shaunae and husband to Pamela.
Baby Girl & Dad: Daughter (2023) by Da’Shaunae MarisaFREE THE WORK
2nd and 3rd generation of the Hagood family. Father Ryan and baby Noelle.
Charm (2023) by Da’Shaunae MarisaFREE THE WORK
A layering of multiple personalities bound by blood and shared experience.
Synchronized (2023) by Da’Shaunae MarisaFREE THE WORK
Collage of South African born twin brothers Justice and Fhatuwan.
Da'Shaunae Marisa
Click below to see more work from this California-based image maker:
Web: dashaunaemarisa.com
IG: @heydashaunae
Explore the other 2022 Image Equity Fellows’ final projects and learn more about the Fellowship here.
