The Art Gallery of Ontario says all of the polaroids were lost and had been discovered on the streets of North America by artist and educator Zun Lee. Most photos were found in the U.S.
“He started to wonder, ‘Why is it that photographs of Black family life are so available in the market? What are the conditions that lad to these photographs … these singular, very touching images of life at home … how have they been separated from their families?'” said co-curator Sophie Hackett.Lee had been collecting thousands of photographs since 2012.
To his daughter, Robinson-Daley, it is more than just a full-circle moment. She says the experience has made her feel “seen” and has strengthened their father-daughter bond. “As adults, sometimes we grow up and we get busy with our own lives and doing other things … but this has brought us a lot closer. It’s unified us as a family. We were able to sit down and look at other polaroids that we have and it just makes such a difference in knowing who we are,” she said.