Asinoquay nindizhinikaaz. Migiizii nindoodem. Kchiwiikwedong nindoonjibaa.
The photography of Leah Rose is a collection of visions – a reconnection to her Anishinaabe heritage and homage to all Tribes of Turtle Island. Using in-camera effects such as double- exposures, she captures surreal and timeless moments. Leah’s work offers a glimpse into her nomadic travels throughout Indian Country.
Leah Rose (b. 1989 in Pennsylvania) is an enrolled member of the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Tribe, living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with her small family of three. With a concentration on dark room photography, alternative processes, and in-camera experimental techniques, Leah has refined her photographic abilities during her nomadic travels throughout Indian Country.
Leah’s photography showcased at Native American art markets, including Santa Fe Indian Market (Santa Fe, NM) and the Heard Museum (Phoenix, AZ). In 2018, the Native Arts & Culture Foundation awarded Leah with a yearlong apprenticeship with prestigious Chemehuevi photographer, Cara Romero. Her passion for protecting the natural resources of Turtle Island led her to work with the Indigenous Environmental Network. She takes on photo documentary projects with hopes to raise awareness on climate change and its impact on Indigenous communities.
Today Leah Rose continues to make photographs that reconnects with her own Anishinaabe heritage, and also pays homage to the other Tribes, and their lands, along life’s journey. It is her visual storytelling preserved.
Contact Leah for more info.
Leah Rose Kolakowski
leah.kolakowski@gmail.com | leahrosephoto.com
EDUCATION
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design - Lancaster, PA Bachelor’s of Fine Art, Major: Photography
SEPT 2008 - MAY 2013
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community College - L’Anse, MI Summer College Program Visiting Student
Summer 2015 - Native American Studies
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
Black & white darkroom, color darkroom, studio lighting Alternative processes
Cyanotype and VanDyke brown, dSLR, medium and large-format equipment,
Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere, and Lightroom.
EXPERIENCE
Leah Rose Photography - Fine Art & Freelance Photographer 2009 - PRESENT
Create and sell limited edition fine art photographic prints.
Freelance photographer working with cultural events, documentary work, and fashion labels.
Worked with the following organizations/brands: Newman’s Own Foundation, Indigenous Environmental Network, Ginew, OXDX Clothing, Native Max Magazine, Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA), Native Arts & Culture Foundation.
Cara Romero Photography - Photography Apprentice
Feb 2017 - Feb 2018
Responsible for assisting photographer Cara Romero with setting up photoshoots, post-processing, and preparing for shows and markets.
Toby Richards Studio - Photography Intern
May 2012 - August 2012
Assisted commercial and fine art photographer Toby Richards with setting up photoshoots, creating prints, greeting cards, and business cards.
EXHIBITIONS
MESH - Portland Art Museum, Portland, OR - Nov 2021 - May 2022
Art of the People: Contemporary Anishinaabe Artists - Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, MI - Dec 2020 - Feb 2021
Bring Her Home - All My Relations Gallery, Minneapolis, MN - Feb - April 2018
SWAIA - Santa Fe Indian Market - Santa Fe, NM – 2017, 2018, 2019, & 2022
The Heard Museum Indian Market - Phoenix, AZ – 2018 & 2022
Head Hunters Collective Show - Chashama Gallery, Brooklyn, NYC - May 2013
Daydreams & Fevers - The Demuth Museum, Lancaster, PA - April 2012
PERMANENT COLLECTIONS
The Portland Art Museum purchased “Woodland Powwow”, “Rise”, & “Bring Her Home” for their permanent collection.
AWARDS
Signal Fire: Stardust Indigenous Artist Retreat - Artist in Residency
Warm Springs, OR - Summer 2018
A partnership with Native Arts & Culture Foundation. Spent time photographing the Warm Springs tribal land. Photos featured on the front and back cover of “Basalt” magazine, with an article alongside other Indigenous artists who participated in the retreat.
2018: SWAIA - Second Place in Color Photography “Gatherings”
2017: SWAIA - Honorable Mention in Color Photography “Wahbimigunnoquay”
PHOTOGRAPHY DONATIONS
The Heard Indian Market, Phoenix, AZ
2022 “Wahbimigunnoquay”
SWAIA Indian Market Santa Fe, NM
2018 “Bring Her Home”
Lightning Boy Fondation, Inc. Santa Fe, NM
2018 “Rise”