Exploring Identity, Art, and Belonging with Julie Rae Powers

I sat down with photographer, author, and Appalachian native Julie Rae Powers to discuss her deeply personal book, Deep Ruts. Julie Rae’s work captures the intersection of identity, culture, and family, revealing her journey of self-discovery as a queer artist from rural America. Through photography, she found a way to process emotions, work through feelings of isolation, and reflect on her complex relationship with her Appalachian roots.

The Journey Behind Deep Ruts

Julie Rae began working on Deep Ruts in 2013 to explore and understand her sense of belonging. Growing up in a working-class family, she struggled with feeling disconnected from her culture and family, especially after coming out. The book visually and emotionally explores her identity, heavily influenced by her Appalachian background and its rich history of coal mining, folk art, and labor. The title holds multiple meanings—representing the literal ruts of rural life, like ATV paths and animal trails, and the metaphorical ruts of family expectations, religion, and societal roles.

Photography as a Tool for Healing

For Julie Rae, photography became a powerful outlet for expressing the emotions she struggled to articulate daily. “I was angry that I didn’t feel like I belonged to my family or my culture,” she explains, “and photography was a way to work through those things.” As an artist, she emphasizes the importance of creating from a personal place of investment and vulnerability. Her work is raw and honest, confronting feelings of anger, isolation, and the need for belonging in both individual and cultural contexts.

Art and Belonging

One of the central themes of the conversation is the idea of belonging. Julie Rae discusses how societal narratives, especially surrounding queerness in Appalachia, often obscure the reality of her experience. She realized that many of the stories she grew up with, particularly around identity and culture, didn’t reflect her truth. As she peeled back the layers of those narratives, she found more acceptance and nuance within her family and community than she initially expected. This journey of understanding and acceptance became crucial to her photography and personal healing.

Art as a Playground for Self-Agency

When asked how she defines art, Julie Rae responds: “Art is the playground where play and agency come together.” She sees art as a space where individuals can discover their agency—the power to create, express, and explore their inner selves. Making is more important for her than the result, as it fosters a connection to the human spirit and allows for emotional growth.

Conclusion

Julie Rae Powers’ Deep Ruts is more than a photography book—it’s a story of resilience, belonging, and self-discovery. Through her art, Julie Rae has carved out her path, proving that art can be a powerful tool for personal and cultural transformation. If you’re interested in exploring identity, culture, and the power of art to heal, this episode is a must-listen.

Be sure to check out Deep Ruts and follow Julie Rae’s journey. Her work inspires and resonates with audiences from all walks of life.

Takeaways:

- Art can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and processing emotions.

- Belonging may be simpler than we realize when we let go of societal narratives.

- Photography helped Julie Rae process feelings of isolation and anger, ultimately leading to healing.

- Art is a playground where individuals can discover their agency and human spirit.