Image Credit: © Alanna Airitam – Nikon, Chosen Few Tucson, 2024

Etherton Gallery will debut a selection of photographic portraits of distinguished, historically Black, “one-percenter” motorcycle club members by Alanna Airitam in the exhibition, Alanna Airitam: Black Diamonds. The term “one percent” refers to a comment allegedly made in 1960 by a former president of the American Motorcyclist Association, that 99% of motorcycle clubs were law-abiding citizens, implying the last one percent were outlaws. Black Diamonds opens April 9 and runs through June 22, 2024.

The exhibition will present 15, 30 x 40 inch photographs selected from Black Diamonds, and highlights Airitam’s portraits of members of Chosen Few MC from the Tucson, Phoenix, Las Vegas (Sin City), Long Beach, and the San Fernando Valley (SFV) chapters. These images by Airitam, who grew up in Texas and now resides in Tucson, are a unique portrayal of a little known and extremely private culture. They are among the most remarkable representations of Black men for their directness, elegance and allusion to and rejection of, the magisterial gaze of European and American landscape painting. None of the work in the exhibition has ever been on public view. Her compelling depictions of this unique community reveal Airitam’s commitment to visualizing the untold stories of Black history in America.

Work by artist Jeremiah Armenta will also be on view In the Cases. Armenta graduated from Arizona State University and worked as a staff photographer at the Arizona Republic. He is a builder of custom motorcycles, a craft that serves his other great passion: wandering the world and documenting his adventures, interactions and meditations with a camera.Armenta’s photography is inspired by—and owes a debt to—the artists and expeditionaries who pioneered chopper culture. It also connects him to them. He feels that connection when creating an original part for a chopper in his little studio, and he especially feels it when riding a custom bike on the wide-open road.

GALLERY HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Opening Reception: Saturday, April 13, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. DJ Carl Hanni will be spinning tunes in the courtyard throughout the evening. Both artists will be in attendance.