The Mississippi Museum of Art (MMA) presents the exhibition Thank You Please Come Again featuring work by Mississippi’s own renowned photojournalist Kate Medley. Medley’s first solo museum exhibition features twenty-two photographic prints recording her ten-year journey through the heart of the American South. The images capture service stations, convenience stores, and quick stops, which serve as vital community hubs and gathering places. While Medley’s travels often included stops for tamales, fried fish, and banh mi, as well as gas, the true essence of her work lies in the profound stories and individuals she encountered.
The exhibition coincides with the publication of “Thank You Please Come Again: How Gas Stations Feed & Fuel the American South” (The Bitter Southerner, 2023), which documents Medley’s experiences during many road trips through eleven states. The book’s nearly 200 images are accompanied by essays by Medley and author Kiese Laymon, Professor of English and Creative Writing at Rice University.
“In my travels across the South, I see gas stations as signposts in a strange land,” explained Medley. “They tell me, who lives here? What do they do for work? What do they eat? What do they believe? What is the pace of the day? What is important in their America? Their South?”
A testament to the power of visual storytelling, the presentation reveals a range of responses to Medley’s questions through captivating imagery of signage and vernacular architecture; culinary offerings and provisions; and those who frequent and work in these distinctively Southern places.
Kate Medley is a photojournalist whose practice focuses on visual storytelling and environmental portraiture. She is deeply engaged in exploring social justice issues and evolving regional politics. Hailing from Mississippi, she has investigated Civil Rights-era cold cases, covered the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and examined the cultural tapestry of the Mississippi Delta. Currently based in Durham, NC, Medley is a contributor to numerous national and regional news outlets. She earned a BA in Photojournalism from the University of Montana.
Kate Medley : Thank You Please Come Again
On view from April 6 to June 23, 2024
Mississippi Museum of Art (MMA)
Trustmark Grand Hall
380 South Lamar Street
Jackson, MS 39201
www.msmuseumart.org
This exhibition is free and open to the public.
