“Holding Spaces,” a photography exhibit, honors Black-owned businesses across Austin through portraits and interviews by Steven Hatchett, photographer and co-founder of local art nonprofit _OFCOLOR. The artist reception will take place on Feb. 5 at the gallery located in the Central Austin Library. The Daily Texan sat down with Hatchett to discuss his process and the project’s meaning.
The Daily Texan: What does the title “Holding Spaces” mean to you?
Steven Hatchett: (It means) folks sacrificing, so they can have enough money to open a space to do what they love. That type of love and commitment for your people is something I intrinsically can understand. … Being in spaces that are very mission-driven, you understand it’s not about how much money (you) get paid or how tired (you are), but about that person (who) doesn’t have a lot — being the catalyst that allows them to thrive and prosper in a world that sometimes doesn’t want them to.
DT: How did you select the businesses involved?
SH: (I wanted to) tell that interwoven story in a way that wasn’t saying that Black businesses (are) only one type of business. I tried to be as eclectic as possible. Geographically, I tried to stay within the city limits … but it didn’t tell the full story if I stayed in Austin. The Black farm we got the chance to view (is) owned by a Black woman in Giddings. … I wanted folks to be able to speak to different types of experiences, folks who migrate to those businesses, and what stories (they) can (share).
DT: How does “Holding Spaces” provide an archive for these businesses amidst gentrification and displacement in Austin?
SH: When we think about Black businesses and how spread out they are in comparison to being on the same block or in the same neighborhood, that type of experience … can be difficult. … (The exhibition) becomes sort of a time capsule — what is it on this journey of being a business owner that got that person to this place? How will that story evolve 10 years from now to … other life lessons that will allow them to inspire the next business owner going forward?
DT: How do memory and storytelling play a role in your photography?
SH: I’m looking for the poetry in the image that will allow folks to get that same feeling I’m feeling as soon as I take it. It will allow that person to transcend their notion around what it means to be Black or Latino … My other piece was trying to see why this particular human chose this space as a reason for engaging the community or as a livelihood. Pairing that with the interviews allowed that sensory, inclusionary experience you normally don’t get from just looking at the print. That is what I wanted to live on. Hopefully, I nailed that.
