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Della Rossa “Street Gangs and their
Families” The Perfect Exposure Gallery (213) 381-1137 Through
May 17
Whether their facial expressions are of anger, sadness or joy,
there is a common thread among the subjects captured in Della
Rossa’s photographic exhibit, “Street Gangs and Their
Families.” Most of the 43 black-and-white photos in
Rossa’s exhibit display the tragedy and contagiousness of
gang life, and a few display happy endings. Rossa has been
photographing Echo Park, Diamond Street and Temple Street gang
members and their families for the last twenty years. Spearheaded
by her encounter with five female teenage gang members on Sunset
Boulevard in 1983, Rossa’s work displays the street life and
home life of gang members, their family members, and the following
generations that either continue on or break away from gang
activity. Rossa’s work takes a sympathetic view at gang
life. In her program, she states that her interests are in the
diverse and marginalized aspects of the neighborhood where she
lives. Rather than focusing on the crimes committed by gangs, her
work suggests that this subculture exists because of poor education
and lack of opportunity. Images like “Distraught Father with
Portrait of Robert” effectively show the tragic aspects of
gang activity. The father’s eyes are sorrowful, filled with
helplessness and regret. The caption beside the photo states that
Robert is the first of two sons to be killed in the family. The
most interesting part of the exhibit is Rossa’s focus on
women. Her photo, “I’ll Marry Him when He gets
out” shows a young woman with feathered hair and a tattoo of
her imprisoned boyfriend’s name above her left breast. She
holds a hard and self-assured expression. One thought-provoking
piece, titled “One to College, One Killed,” displays
two young brothers standing next to each other. Both men look
clean-cut and optimistic; it is ambiguous which brother excelled in
life and who was killed. A few aspects of the exhibit are
inconsistent at times, some images having little contrast, some
having stark contrast. The themes also vary from gang members
laughing in front of a graffitied wall to people at a funeral and
ordinary portraits of families. However, this variety provides an
intimate look at gang life in many of its forms. It also
illustrates Della Rossa’s personal attitudes and feelings
about her subjects, and how they vary from day to day.
Sara Mortimer