The "Hope" Grasshopper. Dona Antônia's Wish-Ribbon Bracelet. Five Centuries Work the Land at Black River. Possibly 1999 - 2001

Fazal Sheikh made this photographic print as part of a series documenting displaced communities. This image captures a hand against a rough, dark background. Its presentation invites us to consider how the personal and the political intertwine, especially within a specific context of land and labor. Made in Brazil, this image is part of a project focusing on the Black River community. The photograph underscores the historical realities of slavery and its lasting impact on land ownership and social structure in Brazil. We see the legacy of this history etched into the very hands that have worked the land for generations. Sheikh’s work challenges the often-sanitized narratives presented in mainstream media and institutions. Historical archives, oral histories, and ethnographic studies would further illuminate our understanding. This photograph serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles for recognition, justice, and land rights.