Family matters: Airport artwork highlights roots
in ‘Liebe Papa’
By DeAllous Smith         

In a new exhibit at Hartsfield-Jackson, family photographs capture the love and hope shared by artist Lesley Ann Price’s German and South African ancestors.  

“Liebe Papa” is an art project inspired by mementos, postcards and documents collected by Price’s late father, Henry Lesser. Lesser was born in Berlin and migrated to South Africa at the age of 13 — before Adolf Hitler began confiscating the businesses and belongings of German Jews. From his new country, Lesser began writing postcards home, many of which began “Liebe Papa…” (Dear Papa).

“Here we see the story of one family’s journey,” said Katherine Dirga, Airport Art Program manager. “These photographs prove to be records, combined with fictional imagery used to tell a layered and intuitive but no less ‘true’ account of the artist’s family history.”

Two legendary, fictional German figures appear in the photographs among Price’s family members. Till Eulenspiegel and Struwwelpeter, who demonstrate “disastrous” consequences for misbehaving people, insert themselves into Price’s ancestral memories and bring a dreamlike quality to these luminous collages.

“Liebe Papa” will be displayed in the Airport’s Atrium until July 13.

“Papa on the Promenade” is among the ethereal collages in the “Liebe Papa” exhibit in the Airport Atrium until July 13.