Arts + Culture
In the eye of the beholder BY TINA V. BRYSON
M
any people have tried to tell the story of Appalachia, but only succeeded in perpetuating a well-worn cliché. Morgan Hornsby, a documentary photographer from Eastern Kentucky, strives to find the artistic balance between capturing the truth and furthering the stereotype. “I’ve certainly seen portrayals of Appalachia that rely on or reinforce stereotypes. These always made me feel uneasy, as they do anyone from here,” Hornsby said. “Sometimes, I am protective of Appalachia and I would
30 The Mountain SPIRIT
rather show beauty than struggle. I am still trying to push past this to develop an honest narrative.” She recently discovered the work of Breece D’J Pancake, a West Virginia writer who published a single collection of short stories before his death at age 27. Hornsby was inspired by how he captured the “particular magic of the region” without romanticizing it or avoiding harsh truths. “In his writing, you could tell he loved the place,” said Hornsby, a graduate of Western Kentucky University and the Danish School of Media and Journalism. “I have lived, worked, and photographed away from home since college. I am continuously drawn to the place I’m from. As I begin to make work here, I hope that I can create images that are authentic without being stereotypical. Wherever
