Multimedia artist demonstrates resilience of working class families

An artistic photography and audio series at the Lake Worth Beach Cultural Council showcases the resilience of working-class families on their path to stability. It’s a way to illustrate how people “belong” in times of difficulty and are “seen and heard,” he says. multimedia artist and photographer Judith Ray.

Using a medium format film camera, Ray takes a dozen intimate family portraits, each frame in this solo exhibition Community Portraits – serves as evidence of physical affection and connection.

Rae, who is of Brazilian and Jewish-Russian descent, said she related to the project as a 14-year-old immigrant teen mom who was struggling to find support.

“The fact that we are putting in the effort is very important,” Rae told WLRN. “And I want every family to know how important they are and that they belong whether they were born here or not.”

Ray, eh celebrated travel and wedding photographer, said the project was inspired by her previous portrait and audio series documenting students on New York’s Lower East Side.

The medium format film camera is Ray’s brush. The cameras are often handheld and typically produce film sizes much larger than standard 35mm film. The result: images with higher resolution, richer tones, better dynamic range, shallower depth of field and less grain.

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The Palm Beach County Cultural Council partnered with the Children’s Services Council for this exhibit. Bridges program, a community center connecting families to early childhood resources—health and education support, child care and early childhood education services.

Jessica Ransom, curator for the Cultural Arts Council, selected ten images, which are accompanied by a slideshow with audio clips of the subjects.

Ray said she was captivated by the young girl who expressed her passion for playing the violin and dancing.

And one boy felt compelled to take part in Rae’s creative process, shouting, “You want it in English or Spanish.” Rae said it’s these small, subtle moments that embody a sense of belonging to a particular community.

“It was really special to hear their perspective on art,” Rae said. “For me, art has truly changed my life and given me a voice. And so I also love hearing about the role that art plays in other people’s lives.”

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: Community Portraits
WHEN: The grand opening will take place on November 9, the exhibition will last until January 18.
WHERE:, 601 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth Beach, Palm Beach County Cultural Council

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