Ford Gilbreath

July 6-29, 2000

"Under the Duwamish and Other Waters." To this day the Duwamish Indians are not federally recognized as a soverign Indian nation. While researching the history of this fascinating tribe, Gilbreath developed a parallel interest in the ways in which the original Duwamish River, outside of Seattle, had changed during the 20th Century. The result of this interest is a collection of stunning hand-painted photographs of the Duwamish Waterway. Gilbreath wanted to reflect the river's point of view, simultaneously looking through the water and across the surface toward Seattle; so he purchased a 10-gallon aquarium and mounted his camera inside. I had never learned to swim, but my fear of being in the water was overcome by my fascination with how things looked in the river. His murky, dusky photos provide a completely unique and fascinating perspective on this life-filled and historical waterway.