Mary Lou Uttermohlen

I grew up in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in the boondocks of West Virginia. Being a country girl I developed a deep fascination for new people and what they are driven to create consciously or subconsciously. My photography feels like an homage to the people who have allowed me into their personal space and permitted me to witness and record their personal life experiences. Two long-term projects have seized my attention, one is about the spiritual underground in New Orleans and the other confronts the homeless epidemic.

"Spiritual YaYa" offers a peek behind the veil shrouding the spiritual mysteries of New Orleans. The series visits a variety of spiritual groups that intermingle in New Orleans like the ingredients in a pot of gumbo. It explores mainstream rituals and then digs deeper into small private spiritual communities.

“Structure Out of Chaos” documents chronically homeless Americans living in non-traditional dwellings. It’s a paradox of photographing the homeless, in their homes with the intent of shedding light on this domestic humanitarian crisis. The series challenges stereotypes as it presents facts for a fresh narrative about this criminalized segment of our society.

I just completed a cross-sector partnership grant from South Arts to produce an exhibition about homelessness. I also do freelance assignments for publications. I did my undergraduate studies at Shepherd University in West Virginia and graduate studies at The Ohio State University. I was an adjunct professor of photography at OSU, Columbus College of Art and Design, and Loyola University (in New Orleans). I’ve earned two individual artist fellowships, exhibit nationally, and in collections including the New Orleans Museum of Art, the US Embassy in Moscow, and the Jazz and Heritage Collection. My portfolios are available at www.marylou.us