The Magical Self: African American Hairdos in Savannah

An exhibition conceived and developed in Savannah, "The Magical Self" presents thirty-three works by Maria von Matthiessen celebrating the artistic possibilities of both hair and photography. The late von Matthiessen, who began her career producing portraits of celebrated individuals including Jimmy Stewart, George Bush, James Dickey, and Phillip Johnson, was a photographer for over thirty years. Her work appeared in such well-known publications as "Life", "Town & Country", and "Harper's Bazaar". In the early 1990’s, von Matthiessen earned accolades for Songs from the Hills (Macmillan 1993), a book exploring the relationship between country music stars and the unique landscape of the American South.

"The Magical Self" was inspired during a visit to Savannah when von Matthiessen observed the elaborate, creative hairstyles of some local women. She soon determined to create a series of magical photographs depicting local women within the context of the distinctive urban and natural environment of the Low Country. Inspirational settings include the Owens-Thomas House, the Olde Pink House, First African Baptist Church, and the Old Cotton Exchange, along with the squares, live oaks, and marshland that characterize this region. These memorable works were produced in collaboration with local hairstylists and members of the African American community, whose creative contributions were fundamental to the project’s success. Von Matthiessen wished to dedicate "The Magical Self" to civil rights leader W.W. Law, whose portrait is included in the exhibition.

Von Matthiessen wrote of "The Magical Self": "It will not be…some dispassionate chronicling of a group of hairdos, but a weaving together of present day hairdos, with some African American hairdo traditions; and too, some fanciful hairdos created by Savannah artists and African American hairstylists, and myself as artist, to celebrate these special women of Savannah and the rich heritage of artistry they still express through their hair. These expressions of their magical selves as revealed through their hairdos that we worked on together inspired us all. It stirred our imaginations, and we came together as one as we shared in this magical experience."

Carson Products provided generous support for the development of this exhibition.