In the series Unveiling a Forgotten Legacy, Zola Lamothe recreates intimate family scenes where homes, churches, and livelihoods once stood — right on the land that became the Indiana University Indianapolis campus. Zola’s work honors Indianapolis’ past while confronting the effects of gentrification and transforming viewers into witnesses of a rich cultural legacy that deserves celebration. Her powerful visual storytelling examines the stark contrast between what was and what is, prompting reflection on what could have been. Ultimately, Unveiling a Forgotten Legacy offers a call to action, sparking important conversations about Indiana laws, future reforms, and how we can prevent further displacement.

Zola Lamothe was a 2023 recipient of the Power Plant Grant, a grant run by Big Car Collaborative and funded by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Her series Unveiling a Forgotten Legacy was exhibited at 1000Words Gallery and Madam Walker Legacy Center in 2024; she will stage an installation of the work at Aurora PhotoCenter in early 2025. Lamothe lives and works in Indianapolis, Indiana.