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C. Aluka Berry

@alukastories

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2026 Guggenheim Fellow
Author of Affrilachia:Testimonies.
Based near Asheville, NC.

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Upcoming at the ICA: Chris Aluka Berry’s eight-year survey, "Affrilachia: Testimonies," on view at the ICA October 15 through December 4.

“Ancestors “(2021), featuring three-year-old Angelo Allen standing on his family's land, is a testament to the generations who have maintained their familial bonds in the historic Texana community.

Rooted in the mountain landscape of Murphy, North Carolina, the Texana community was founded in the mid-19th century as a refuge and self-sufficient settlement for Black Appalachians.

📍 ICA at UTC (752 Vine St.)

Image: “Ancestors (detail),” 2021, 1/4, 30” x 40.” Giclée Fibre Rag.

#Affrilachia #ChrisAlukaBerry #TexanaNC by @alukastories

Over the next few months, we are featuring the work of many of the 2026 Guggenheim Fellows as a way to celebrate their achievements and understand legacies and projects that have brought them this tremendous recognition.

Today the focus is on Chris Aluka Berry (@alukastories), a documentary photographer based in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. Raised in the American South by a white mother and a Black father, his upbringing fostered a lasting awareness of race, belonging, and representation—concerns that continue to shape his work and the stories he tells.

In this interview with Sandy Sugawara (@sandy_sugawara), Berry speaks passionately about the ways that photography can give voice to the voiceless. It is this passion that kept him going during the many years when the outside world showed little interest in his project.

🔗 Read the full conversation at www.lenscratch.com by @alukastories

Beyond: Meditations of the Otherside inaugural exhibition at Deathfest @rare_bird_farm this Saturday, 12p-5p. by @alukastories

Affrilachia: Testimonies (part 4).

The first book of its kind, Affrilachia:Testimonies is an inspired historical artifact that honors, represents, and celebrates the proud Black people whose history and existence has greatly contributed to the broad tapestry of Appalachia.
252 Pages, 11"x11" hardcopy. Published by University Press of Kentucky.

Purchase through link in bio or wherever books are sold. For a signed copy, DM me.

#blackisbeatiful #historynerd #lovepoetry❤️ #soulrebel #thesouthsgotsomethingtosay by @alukastories

Aspiring Hip Hop artist Niya J @its_niyaj07 has something to say.
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#thesouthsgotsomethingtosay #westvirginia #Affrilachia #Appalachia #blackbygod by @alukastories

Affrilachia: Testimonies (part 3). There are 303 copies left from the 2000 print run. Link in bio to purchase or find at most book sellers.

The first book of its kind, Affrilachia:Testimonies is an inspired historical artifact that honors, represents, and celebrates the proud Black people whose history and existence has greatly contributed to the broad tapestry of Appalachia.
.
252 Pages, 11"x11" hardcopy. Published by University Press of Kentucky.

#historymatters #historylover #poetrycommunity #photobook #americanhistory by @alukastories

Spending time with Jim McDowell, "The Black Potter". An amazing artist and inspiration. 80 years old and making art almost everyday. He told me that alot of his art comes from dealing with his anger about how Black people are treated. He quoted James Baldwin, "Artist are here to disturb the peace." We're planning to do a show together, just looking for the right space.
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#potter #emmitttill #facejugs #blackartists #blackartmatters by @alukastories

Affrilachia: Testimonies (part 2). There are 289 copies left from the 2000 print run. If in NYC, buy at @icp Washington, DC buy at @nmaahc Asheville buy at #malaprops Marshall buy at Penlands, in east Tennessee buy at #113books (@black_in_appalachia) You can also go to your local bookstore, buy from publisher, link in bio. And last resort Amazon. For a signed copy, DM me.

The first book of its kind, Affrilachia:Testimonies is an inspired historical artifact that honors, represents, and celebrates the proud Black people whose history and existence has greatly contributed to the broad tapestry of Appalachia.
252 Pages, 11"x11" hardcopy. Published by University Press of Kentucky.
.
Music is Danielle Ponder's, Some of Us Are Brave
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#blackhistory #americanhistory #photobook by @alukastories

Affrilachia: Testimonies (part 1). Get your hard copy soon. There are 313 copies left from the 2000 print run. If in NYC, buy at #icp Washington, DC buy at #nmaahc in Asheville buy at #malaprops, in Marshall buy at Penlands. You can also go to your local bookstore or Amazon. For a signed copy, DM me.

The first book of its kind, Affrilachia:Testimonies is an inspired historical artifact that honors, represents, and celebrates the proud Black people whose history and existence has greatly contributed to the broad tapestry of Appalachia.

252 Pages, 11"x11" hard cover. Published by University Press of Kentucky.
.
Music is Danielle Ponder's, Some of Us Are Brave
.
##blackhistory #americanhistory by @alukastories

New work: Affrilachia:Generations. Amara prays.
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#Affrilachia #appalachia #prayer #historymatters #culturematters by @alukastories

New work, Affrilachia: Generations. Sisters, Texana, NC.
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#Affrilachia #Appalachia #sisters #appalachianmountains #thesouthsgotsomethingtosay by @alukastories

New work from Affrilachia: Generations. West Virginia Hip Hop artist @lifeof_aballer .
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#blackbygod #Affrilachia #appalachia #photobook #thesouthsgotsomethingtosay by @alukastories