Bren Kleinfelder: Women of BACKBONE | April 11–May 9, 2026
BACKBONE began in Petersburg (Séet Ká), a small island town at the tip of Mitkof Island, where the Wrangell Narrows meets Frederick Sound in the Tongass National Rainforest.
This is Lingit Aaní, the traditional territory of the Lingit people, whose relationship with these waters spans over 20,000 years. Shaped by ancient glaciers, this landscape of fjords, rock-strewn channels, and marine abundance has long provided vital fishing grounds, travel corridors, and cultural lifeways.
The Wrangell Narrows, with its maze of islands and tidal shifts, demands local knowledge to navigate. And just as the geography calls for skill and connection, so does the history. With the arrival of Russian fur traders in the 18th century and Norwegian settlers in the 19th century, the town grew into a commercial fishing community, where the industry continues to shape its pace and identity.
It was here in 1998 that 45 women from this close-knit community gathered to create a series of unclothed portraits—offering not just their images, but their voices, agency, and trust. Revisited in 2002 and again in 2024, the project has become a living archive of resistance, reflection, and place-based art.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“Art is about seeing and being seen—about claiming space for our true selves and standing together in that boldness. When I first photographed the WOMEN OF BACKBONE in 1998, I didn’t set out to make feminist art—I simply responded to what needed to change around me. Over time, these images became a visual protest, a celebration of choice, and a testament to collective strength. Again and again, these women showed up: lying on frozen ground, laughing in the rain, standing beside each other without shame or fear. They trusted me—and more importantly, they trusted each other.
Decades later, we returned to these images, reclaiming them on our own terms. Younger women joined, weaving new voices into this story of courage and community. Together, we pushed back against judgment and division and created a space for radical visibility and joy.
BACKBONE reminds us: representation isn’t granted, it’s claimed. Our bodies, our stories, our choices belong to us.
This project isn’t finished. It’s an invitation. Join us.” -Bren Kleinfelder
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Bren Kleinfelder is a multi-disciplinary artist, photographer, writer, and researcher whose work explores the intersections of body, voice, and visual culture. With a background in education and journalism, she integrates alternative process photography, literary narrative, and participatory practice to create works that challenge the gaze and elevate collective agency. BACKBONE is her most sustained and intimate body of work.
© Bren Kleinfelder