Last Statement Exhibit Continues

The excellent work by premier photographer Barbara Sloan, which was on display throughout 2007, continues beginning February 2, 2008. LAST STATEMENT will continue with a set of new subjects. LAST STATEMENT is a compassionate look at the victim’s of both sides left behind following an execution.

Several years ago, photographer Barbara Sloan awoke in the middle of the night with a revelation that she must do a photographic essay on Death Row inmates. The next morning, Kelly Prew, an editor for the Huntsville Item, arrived to do a feature story on Sloan's international career as a photographer. The two discussed the Death Row photographic essay and vowed to pursue the project as a team.

"I was born in Huntsville. But only after living in Europe did I realize the city of my birth was internationally famous for Death Row," Sloan said.

"I started thinking about the lives execution leaves behind - the families of both the victims and those of the executed. It really is a moving conversation to talk to a parent, any parent, who has lost a child. Those faces are the ones we hope speak through this project."

The photos on display are archival fiber based gelatin silver prints.

"As I look back over my portfolio of 30 years as a professional photographer, I am proudest of the black and white portraits," Sloan said.

The project is sponsored in part by the Huntsville Arts Commission, city of Huntsville.

Paulette Norman, mother of McKay Everett. McKay was murdered by a family friend, Hilton Crawford. Hilton was executed in 2003 and Paulette wrote a book entitled Waltz with Insanity. This is one of many family members of the victims and the executed on exhibit starting February 2, 2008.