“Book of Saints” by photographer Kristen Emack has opened its doors at Gallery Kayafas. Documenting the pulse of a community she perceives as at risk, Emack’s compelling portraits shed light on the resilience of ordinary people in the face of a rapidly changing landscape. The exhibition, which debuted on January 5th, is set to run for a month and invites viewers to contemplate the impact of innovation-driven gentrification on our historic city.
The series demonstrates a clear image of the community, one that weathers the tides of social change with courage and grace. The subjects of “Book of Saints” are not celebrities or historical figures, but everyday individuals who form the backbone of a community navigating the challenges of our times.
Among the portraits, Emack spotlights the close bond between Clara Engels ’25 and Rafa Saeed—Rafa was a CRLS student who passed away this summer battling cancer. They are shot separately in front of a tree and an apartment. The intimate portrayals are a reminder that community strength lies in the connections forged between individuals, even as external forces threaten to reshape their surroundings.
The series is a response to the changing demographics of city neighborhoods; it’s a love letter and a warning sign. Her choice to delve into the theme of gentrification in Cambridge reflects a broader concern for the community’s well-being and the repercussions of technology-driven gentrification which are felt keenly by poor and working-class families.
“Book of Saints” is a continuation of Emack’s previous series, “Cousins,” which was over a decade in the making. The earlier collection features images of Emack’s own family—her daughter, Apple, and her nieces who are Black. Using family portraits, Emack explores the complexities of identity and race while attempting to alter the image of Black girlhood.
One of the photographs from the exhibition captures two CRLS students, Weyni Kidanemariam ’24 and Apple Emack ’24, in a car. Apple, the artist’s own daughter, gazes contemplatively out of a window. Her expression carries a mix of introspection and curiosity. The play of light on her face suggests a quiet moment of reflection, perhaps contemplating the changing landscape outside, both literally and metaphorically.
Leaning casually against her is Weyni, her gaze fixed directly into the camera. Weyni’s presence introduces a sense of immediacy and connection between the subject and the viewer. I think it speaks to the resilience of Cambridge youth while facing the complexities of the innovation economy and its impact on their community. The casual lean, the thoughtful gaze, and the small shared space speak to the camaraderie forged in the face of a changing environment.
The title “Book of Saints” takes on a large significance in this context, a saint being an ordinary person that we should aspire to be like. Each saint’s portrait is a chapter in a visual archive, a testament to their resilience and the disappearing landscapes they inhabit.
As viewers step into Gallery Kayafas, they are invited to engage with Emack’s visual chronicle of a community at the crossroads of change. “Book of Saints” challenges us to reflect on the consequences of an innovation-driven city model and urges us to recognize and celebrate the everyday heroes who persevere in the face of adversity.
This piece also appears in our January 2024 print edition.
