Synopses & Reviews
With an introductory essay by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa, Covenant is, in the words of photographer Tyagan Miller, "a record of things seen and heard in uncommon circumstances, the view of life that underlies it, reflect[ing] the mutual aspiration of human beings everywhere."
Culled from more than 4,000 images taken by Miller over a four-year period, the 93 photographs record the salient aspects of the life of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church on Indianapolis's near west side--services, baptisms, weddings, funerals, social events, and portraits of the congregants. In accompanying interviews, congregants share their stories of miracles, seeing angels, losing a child, racism and brotherly love, and being young, black, and poor.
Review
"Looking at the images in Tyagan Miller's powerful book, Covenant, the viewer is reminded of a truth regarding great photography; great photographs are not so much about photography, but about the sharing of poignant and essential moments of life with others. Miller's work caresses the heart strongly because it embraces with compassion and care the soul of life his images bear witness to. His work is like a great Motown song--it keeps coming back and reminding you what it's all about." --Peter Turnley, Photojournalist
Review
"Miller's work caresses the heart strongly because it embraces with compassion and care the soul of life his images bear witness to. His work is like a great Motown song--it keeps coming back and reminding you what it's all about." --Peter Turnley, photojournalist Indiana University Press Indiana University Press
Review
"Tyagan Miller has formed a covenant with the congregation again and again, with every click of the shutter. There's no posing, no intrusion, and each photograph contains a naturalness that steals the heart.." --from the essay by Yusef Komunyakaa Indiana University Press
Synopsis
A stunning collection of photographs celebrating the community and spirit of African American life
About the Author
Tyagan Miller is a documentary photographer. His work has been published in Twilight in Arcadia, a book of photographs about migrant farm workers in the tobacco fields of southern Indiana, and Falling Toward Grace: Images of Religion and Culture from the Heartland (IUP, 1998). He lives in Bloomington, Indiana.
Yusef Komunyakaa is distinguished senior poet at New York University. He has received numerous awards, including the William Faulkner Prize (Université Rennes, France), the Ruth Lilly Prize for Poetry, and the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. His latest book is Gilgamesh, a verse play. He lives in New York City.
Table of Contents
Contents
Covenant, Sorrow Songs, and Flying Away by Yusef Komunyakaa
Photographs and Interviews
List of Plates
Photographer's Note
About the Photographer
About the Writer