Seeking Truth Through Imagery: Photography by Alayna Pernell

Linda Marcus

Insatiable curiosity is what motivates and fuels Alayna Pernells’ photography practice. “It starts off with a thought, but there’s always a question on top and that is what helps to guide me; then I can work from there”, according to Pernell.

Her continuous questioning of the world and the structures in it has allowed the young photographer to create imagery which spurs dialogue. “I’m interested in creating conversations around subject matter that is not that easy to talk about.” The impetus is often drawn from Pernell’s own life experiences, “I make work from something I’ve experienced and keep true to the voice that I have”.” The feminist perspective is always there along with the added lens of history to examine the current landscape. According to Pernell, “I’m interested in how black woman are navigating now in a present context but also historically. Because I’m always thinking about how things are, but also what has and hasn’t changed.”

Originally from Alabama, Pernell has called Milwaukee her home for the last three years. She received her BA in photography and a minor in African American Studies from the University of Alabama and her MA in photography from the School of The Art Institute in 2021.  Pernell is also the 2023 winner of the prestigious Mary Nohl emerging artist award and an Associate lecturer of Photography at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Once a painter, Pernell switched to photography during her undergraduate studies after noticing how the photographic channels of communication cut out clutter for the viewer. Often in her photos there is only one person or a body part of one person. According to Pernell, there is a specific reason for that; “In recent years I’ve rethought what a self-portrait could be. You can see me but not necessarily my face.”

This mode of working sets up a relational dialogue between the image and the viewer, Pernell says. “I like to work in a singular way, and that way we can focus on what we can focus on”. It seems to work too. According to information on her website, all of this is important because; “In order to promote understanding, love, and empathy between each other, it’s vital to have difficult conversations.”

Another aspect of Pernell’s practice involves the time-consuming task of working with archives. Pernell is interested in truth of ownership, naming those in the photo and under what conditions the photo was made.  Even the name of the photo could be wrong. Pernell found many times in institutions and museums this information is often inaccurate or incomplete and Pernell believes these mistakes need to be “righted.” 

Pernell says it’s not just archives that is important to look at but history itself. “It can really show what’s changed, what hasn’t; patterns cause things to kind of repeat. I think that can also provide some understanding about some of the mess that the world is in right now and possibly even some of the good things. Because reflections can be good. Reflections can be good about what happened. They can be good or bad or somewhere in between.” 

Pernell is interested in finding out what is there, with no hidden agenda, except to understand. “Question everything that’s the kind of mentality I have. Asking questions and if there aren’t answers, there aren’t answers. Because there isn’t always going to be.” Pernell says this mode of working has served her well. And even though the focus of her work may shift from time to time, certain things won’t. She says” I just want to remain curious about things, because I don’t find it’s helpful to accept things as they are without understanding.”

Visit alaynanpernell.com to learn more and connect on Instagram at @alaynapernell

This article is featured in Artdose Magazine Vol 35.