Christopher Felver writes that this project began serendipitously through his work with a range of projects over the past four decades. Felver is a filmmaker and photographer whose work has been featured in museum exhibitions and in his previous publications. Tending the Fire features ninety-three black-and-white portraits of literary artists whom he met through his work on related projects as well as through making connections with members of literary circles that have flourished since the Native American literary renaissance. Felver mentions his early fascination with Edward Curtis’s portraits of well over a hundred years ago, pointing to their influence on contemporary portraiture. In contrast to Curtis’s representation of Native culture, Felver’s work displays his willingness to give his subjects a stronger voice, as each entry includes a sample of their literary expression. This vividness of hearing their voices is complemented by his vibrant photographs of major writers.
I was immediately struck by the portrait of Louise Erdrich on the book’s cover. Leafing through the book, I was captivated by the striking portraits of other literary artists whose work I have taught in my classes on Native American verbal art. Simon J. Ortiz wrote the introduction, and his portrait and handwritten note set out important themes that Felver explores through words and images. “All people are—poems and stories,” Ortiz writes (133), and Felver beautifully shows how photography can animate the creative spark that fires creative expression. I first wanted to see how Felver presented writers whose work I have included in my syllabus, and I appreciated seeing the portraits of writers such as Sherman Alexie, Pura Fé, Joy Harjo, Lee Marmon, N. Scott Momaday, Wendy Rose, Leslie Marmon Silko, and other contributors whose written work can be seen as carrying on the continuing of the spoken word through the printed page.
There is a wide range of literary expressions that are presented on each page across from each portrait. Some are original poems that the writers contributed to the project. Others are excerpts from longer works of poetry or fiction. There are poignant essays, vivid memoirs, introspective reflections, historical accounts, and interviews. Having recently taught Christopher Teuton’s Cherokee Stories of the Turtle Island Liars’ Club, I especially appreciated how Sequoyah Guess contributed a hand-written manuscript of the tale of the fox and the crawdad that he tells as a Tradition Keeper for the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians. Teuton gives biographical sketches of the Liars’ Club’s four storytellers in his presentation of their narratives. America Meredith’s pen-and-ink drawings illustrate Teuton’s book, which provides an interesting point for comparison to Felver’s photography.
The portraits are excellent. Most feature studio backdrops to bring the viewer’s eye directly into a direct connection with the literary artist. Viewers will gain a strong sense of presence from the visual representations. That sense of connection is enhanced by the presentation of the written word that complements each photograph. Handwritten notes are especially vivid when they are written on hotel stationery or include inked-in underscores, non-linear formatting, doodles, and sophisticated drawings from a number of the writers.
There often is a sparkle in the portraits that evokes a strong sense of presence. Reflecting on how these connections emerge from the interaction between photographer and subject can provide readers with a tone for reading what each writer chose to offer the book’s publishers. Rather than commenting on specific entries that speak to me, I would have readers browse through the book and find these connections for themselves. This approach to reading seems closer to how Felver, and those whose portraits he shares with us, would want readers to explore this fine work.
The book stands on its own as a fine presentation of the interconnected network of writers who invited Felver into their world in Indian country. They show how the creativity that was lit a half century ago in the literary renaissance has flourished in rich forms of expression. The portraits and texts will inspire readers to explore more of the work of these talented writers, and the book provides notes on the contributors that will further lead readers into their work.
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[Review length: 685 words • Review posted on November 4, 2021]