American-born photographer Tony Gleaton has blue eyes and fair skin. He is not biracial; in fact, both his parents are black.  But because of his unique look, Gleaton has dealt with questions his entire life.

There is no doubt that such as life has influenced the art he creates. According to a recent LA Times article:

    It’s not surprising, perhaps, that Gleaton has made his reputation with a series of portraits of black Mexicans, descendants of slaves brought to Mexico by the Spanish conquistadors 500 years ago, "before the first black slaves came to Colonial Williamsburg," he pointed out.

Gleaton believes that race is a construct, and uses his art form to foster dialogue and break stereotypes:

    "What’s important about these photographs is that they gave a face to something that nobody had really thought about before. And it’s a place to begin the discussion about what we suppose Mexico to be. We have a stereotypical view of what Mexico is, and Mexico is many things. You can have freckles and red hair and be Mexican -- and you can have very black skin and be Mexican."

Gleaton’s series "Africa’s Legacy in Mexico" is on display at Loyola Marymount University’s Laband Art Gallery until November 18.



© 1990 Tony Gleaton
Abrazo De La Memoria / “Embrace Of Memory,” Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero, Mexico