Shane Wynn (b.1976)
Materials: Color digital print
Dimensions: 48" x 32”
Location at Summa Health:
Dr. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Tower on the Akron Campus (141 N. Forge St.)
Blue Neighborhood, Second Floor Hallway, Outside Rooms H2-204 and H2-205
Neema & Phul (from the North Hill Series), 2018
This powerful portrait of a mother and son captures an intimate and striking moment between Neema and Phul. The figures stand almost frontally, with Phul towering above his petite mother, leaning in as a gesture of love and perhaps protection. Both gaze confidently into the camera, creating an impactful connection with the viewer.
The bright colors and distinctive textures of their clothing draw immediate attention, particularly Neema’s traditional costume, which is rich in detail. Phul’s topknot, reminiscent of sculptures of the Buddha, adds a touch of cultural significance and contrasts with his more casual, modern appearance. He wears western chinos and rests his hand casually in his pocket. This subtle blend of traditional and contemporary styles highlights the complexity of their identities.
Through this portrait, artist Shane Wynn aims to showcase the vibrant ethnic diversity of Akron’s North Hill, also known as the International District. The image offers a glimpse into the lives of new neighbors, inviting us to recognize and appreciate the rich cultural tapestry that is growing in our community.
Asha & Furaha (from the North Hill Series), 2018
Materials: Color digital print
Dimensions: 48" x 32”
Location at Summa Health:
Dr. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Tower on the Akron Campus (141 N. Forge St.)
Blue Neighborhood, Second Floor Hallway, Outside Rooms H2-204 and H2-205
In this intimate portrait, Asha and her daughter Furaha stand together, embracing one another with a strong, visible mother-daughter bond. Both women turn their gazes outward to the camera, inviting the viewer into their world. Asha, wearing a vibrant print and a turban, stands to the left, while Furaha, on the right, is a striking presence with her elaborate cornrows, which follow the contours of her skull with intricate precision. The artistry and care required to create these cornrows immediately draw the eye, reflecting both effort and beauty.
The vibrant colors and textures of their clothing, adorned with earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, further underscore the importance of cultural presentation in this powerful double portrait. The women’s “native dress” speaks to their heritage, and the careful attention to detail in their presentation creates a visually rich and meaningful composition.
Shane Wynn’s lighting brings out the beauty of the women’s skin tones and the sheen of the fabric, adding a luminous quality to the photograph. The portrait is shot almost life-size but from the knees up, intensifying the sense of intimacy. The viewer is invited to draw closer, as if standing in the same space with Asha and Furaha, sharing in the quiet strength of their embrace.
About the Artist
Shane Wynn, a photojournalist and photographer, captures compelling images of underrepresented communities in Northeast Ohio. The pieces featured in Summa Health’s Healing Arts Collection are part of Wynn’s North Hill series, which centers on refugee families residing in Akron’s North Hill neighborhood. These large-format, naturalistic portraits continue Wynn’s commitment to social justice and community awareness, following her work in Overlooked (2017), which focused on powerful Akron women, and Pride in the Moment, a documentation of the 2014 International Gay Games in Cleveland and Akron.
Wynn’s portraits of refugees highlight the humanity, resilience, and hope within this often overlooked community. Through her lens, she invites us to see these individuals not as strangers, but as people with loving families who are working hard to build better lives for future generations, just as their ancestors did when they immigrated to America.
Wynn’s work merges art and journalism, and she expresses a strong belief in using photography as a tool for social change. She hopes her North Hill portraits will encourage Akronites to recognize the shared humanity between themselves and the refugee families in their midst.
Wynn has called Akron home since high school and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Akron. As a professional photographer, she has worked with corporate and non-profit clients, while also gaining recognition as a photojournalist and artist. Notable accolades include the Ohio Excellence in Journalism Award for portraiture (2017) and multiple Knight Arts Challenge awards.
Wynn’s photographs have been published in View Magazine (Akron Art Museum), Crain’s Akron and Cleveland Business, Forbes, and Rolling Stone. Her North Hill series has been recognized in both television and print media, and she has participated in public presentations through projects like Curated Storefronts.
For more of Wynn’s work, visit her website or explore her acclaimed projects throughout Akron and beyond.
The Healing Arts at Summa Health