An estate-sale find of a shoebox filled with old photographs and negatives made in India in 1945 leads a Chicago couple half-way around the world. As they “follow the box” to try and unravel the mystery behind who took these compelling photos and for what purpose, they gather together contemporary Indian artists who each draw inspiration from these images and create new artworks in response. The resulting exhibit and film is a cross-cultural exploration of the power of art to reveal our different cultures and ourselves over time and space.

This website showcases all 127 found images; more details about the story; selected views of the artists' works along with their bios; links to press about the project; exhibit scenes and a trailer for the documentary film.

In January 2011, Alan Teller and Jerri Zbiral went to India to find information on a box of anonymous photographs made in that country in 1945. We both photographed our experiences. We returned in 2013 on a Fulbright grant and again in 2015 and 2016 on U.S. State Department grants to develop the Following the Box project. We wrote 3 blogs chronicling our adventure, exploring issues of photography, culture and history. You can access all 3 at this site.

Alan Teller's personal photography, from 1965 to the present.

Jerri Zbiral's photography from 1971 to the present.

As result of being a semifinalist in one of LensCulture's contests, I have a page on their very interesting website. Please check out all of my projects. I am updating this page on a regular basis. Most of my prints are available for sale through The Collected Image.

Peggy Lipschutz is an artist, book illustrator, political activist, labor unionist, feminist, pacifist, humanist. This is the story of one woman’s unwavering commitment to art, peace, justice and social change, told in a beautiful, award winning documentary film by Jerri Zbiral.