Stories about food are often some of the best stories. Food is bigger than just caloric intake and the ever-evolving food pyramid. Food is life, sustenance, and story. Through CAPTURED: an exploration of food & culture, I am pleased to share a few of my food stories with you.

This body of work explores the intersection of food and culture. A set table tells a story of our relationship with tradition, heritage, identity, and home. Food brings people together onto common ground as a basic human need and as a vehicle for sharing, communing, and feasting. As I explore these relationships, I hope to examine the human element in food that broadens perspectives, rejuvenates amidst pain, and unites regardless of borders.

What began as a fascination with shakshuka developed into a desire to further investigate the emotion and story surrounding our interaction with food. In 2017, I received a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council to develop and exhibit this body of work. CAPTURED: an exploration of food & culture launched at the Mezzanine Gallery in Dawson, MN in fall of 2018, was exhibited at the SMAC Gallery in Marshall, MN summer of 2019, and in Impact Coffee & Rubiayat in Decorah, IA during the winter of 2019-2020. The exhibit is shown below in digital form.

» Click on an image to see the accompanying essay.

Responses to the exhibit:

“I am delighted to bear witness to the results of your photo capture and associated contemplations. May we consider the possibility of further exploring the beauty, deliciousness, origins, and manifestations of the emerging food movement in our homeland.”

“Very impressive observations both visual and reflective – succinct and absorbing.”

“Great exhibit. Enjoyed your writing. The meat case was my favorite. I was not hungry but now I am so I’m off the the Rusty Duck.”

“Do not view while hungry.”

“Wow! Amazing! I feel as if I’ve traveled myself after experiencing your photos and words. Please create a book!”

“Thoughtful. Peaceful. Reflective. I learn something.”

“We gather as a family three times a day, to enjoy the food set before us and talk about what life has given us that day… Elisabeth has shown in her ‘Great Photo Essay’ that it is a ‘Bigger’ world we live in and a very beautiful one. Thank you.”

“What a fantastic show! I love how you have captured the foreign markets with all the color and unfamiliar offerings. Also, you write so well to transport us there.”

“I love that even in all the elaborateness of each picture and each piece of writing I find such a sense of simplicity. I find and I feel connectedness. Your writing flows beautifully, eloquently and easy. It makes me smile. I love your passion for people through the table. Keep writing…Keep photographing…Keep creating you beautiful soul. Your work matters!”

“Beautiful! Love the stories, love the photos – I can imagine myself being in every location, every occasion. The photos and the text complement each other beautifully. More! More!”

“Wonderful experience to feel like I was right there with you on your travels.”

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This activity is made possible by a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council with funds from The McKnight Foundation.