By: Carlos Talbott
Last night I attended the opening of A Tale of Two Cities at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts (NOAFA). The exhibition draws a powerful connection between New Orleans and Asheville, cities linked not only by their creative spirit but also by the devastation of hurricanes that have reshaped their communities. Opening on September 13, 2025, the timing was poignant — framed between the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene. Art here was remembrance, conversation, and healing all at once.
I went to the opening with my friend, the Turkish–New Orleans figurative artist Emre Karaoğlu. Experiencing the show alongside him sharpened my perspective — his eye for gesture, presence, and memory in figurative work echoed many of the exhibition’s central themes. (Together we have artworks on a separate Katrina 20 Year Memorial at the Ashé Cultural Arts Center https://www.ashenola.org running until 10/20.)
Artists & Highlights
One of the most powerful encounters of the evening was meeting Rontherin Ratliff, whose sculptural installation reimagines his grandmother’s house. Suspended wooden house -along with the ominous water-line- hangs above the gallery floor, their lower halves made of transparent material containing scattered, water-damaged photographs and papers — fragments of memory adrift.
The piece captures the physical and emotional weight of hurricanes in a way that words can barely reach: the instability of home, the fragility of memory, and the uneasy balance between loss and endurance.
I also spent time with Arturo Perez, walking through the galleries and taking in the wide range of works. It was a reminder that part of what makes openings special is not just the art on the walls, but the conversations and shared experiences that unfold around them.
Throughout the galleries, the range of works — from photography and sculpture to textiles and mixed media — made clear the different yet connected ways artists confront disaster, memory, and resilience. Each piece felt like a voice in a wider conversation between the two cities.
Atmosphere of the Opening
The show itself was deeply moving, but the energy outside completed the experience. A jazz band played with soul and energy, filling the courtyard and giving the evening its unmistakable New Orleans rhythm. The weather was beautiful — one of those nights where the air feels festive — and guests enjoyed a generous selection of adult beverages and hors d’oeuvres. It all added up to a gathering that was as celebratory as it was reflective.
Final Thoughts
A Tale of Two Cities is more than an exhibition — it’s a dialogue across distance and time, an acknowledgment of loss, and a testament to resilience. For me, the night was not only about seeing powerful works of art but also about the conversations they sparked — with artists, with friends, and with the city itself.
If you have a chance, I highly recommend visiting before the show closes on November 8, 2025. You’ll leave with more than images in your mind — you’ll leave with stories, questions, and a deeper sense of how art carries us through what storms leave behind.
Additional photography by: Richard Vallon
https://www.orleansimages.com/2025_noafa_taleoftwocities
Gallery
About Carlos Talbott
Carlos Talbott is a photographer and artist based in New Orleans. Born in Honduras, he has lived in New Orleans since 1983. His work focuses on the overlooked details of everyday life, finding beauty in what’s often ignored. Drawing from the historical connection between Honduras and New Orleans—especially through the banana trade—he brings a unique bicultural perspective to his art.
In addition to photography, Carlos recently began exploring figure drawing through a beginner’s drawing class, expanding his creative practice.
Selected Exhibitions
2025 — Refreshing America, Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans. New Orleans, LA
2025 — Animals in Art Exhibition, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. Baton Rouge, LA
2025 — Katrina 20, Ashé Cultural Arts Center. New Orleans, LA
Press
Medina, Eduardo. “20 Years After Katrina, New Orleans Is ‘at a Tipping Point’.” The New York Times, 29 August 2025.
Follow on Instagram: @carlostalbott