Macomb County

Michigan photographer Marcella Hadden featured in DIA’s Native American exhibit

Published

2 hours ago

February 15, 2026

MM Team

For the previous 13 years, Michigan artist Marcella Hadden has labored as a photographer in Isabella County, specializing in capturing photos of newborns, households and weddings.

In September, her pictures moved exterior her studio to the Detroit Institute of Arts for the exhibition “Up to date Anishinaabe Artwork: A Continuation.”

Beneath the supervision of Denene De Quintal, assistant curator of Native American artwork at DIA, a name was made for Anishinaabe artists. Hadden determined to submit a few of her work and two items had been chosen: ‘Jingle Costume’ and ‘Indigenous Girls Put on Purple’.

“I’m very flattered and really honored that my artwork was chosen amongst all the opposite nice artists whose work can also be on show,” Hadden stated. “It is simply wonderful.”

"Jingle Dress" depicts a traditional Native American powow regalia worn by women participating in a dance of the same name. Hadden said this piece was captured using filters she placed in front of her camera. (Courtesy photo / Marcella Hadden). — “Jingle Costume” depicts a standard Native American powow regalia worn by ladies collaborating in a dance of the identical identify. Hadden stated this piece was captured utilizing filters she positioned in entrance of her digicam. (Courtesy picture / Marcella Hadden).

Hadden was all the time keen on pictures. She stated that since she was a younger woman, she was continually taking footage.

Likewise, each her father and brother spent their whole lives taking footage. Her brother later grew to become a photojournalist. In a way, it was pure for Hadden to additionally interact in pictures.

A lot of Hadden’s inspiration for her artwork comes from her tradition. That is mirrored each in her items chosen for the DIA exhibition and in her aforementioned new child images, which all the time embrace an eagle feather. One of many benefits of Hadden’s pictures with newborns is that it incorporates eagle feathers, one thing that solely members of a Native American tribe can do because of the Bald and Golden Eagle Safety Act.

“Eagle feathers have all the time been part of our tradition. I additionally attempt to incorporate them into photographs of seniors,” Hadden stated. “I additionally attempt to combine the rising solar, footage of the moon or nature issues.”

In this image, — On this picture, “Indigenous Girls Put on Purple,” Hadden used her granddaughter Christina because the mannequin. Carrying crimson is to lift consciousness of the disaster of lacking and murdered Indigenous ladies and women – a motion that emerged as a result of Indigenous ladies are 4 occasions extra doubtless than non-Indigenous ladies to be victims of violence. (Courtesy picture / Marcella Hadden)

When requested what recommendation she might give to individuals wanting to enter the humanities, she merely stated, “Do not surrender.”

“If it is your ardour, do it,” Hadden stated. “I began pictures late. I used to be in my late forties once I bought a digicam and began taking photographs professionally. I have been taking photographs most of my life, however it wasn’t till I used to be older that I actually determined to do one thing with it. So do not let your age hassle you.”

For extra details about Hadden and her pictures, go to marcellahadden.com. Common admission to the DIA is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. For others, admission is $23.50 for adults and $8 for youngsters. Go to dia.org/tickets.