Folks of Minnesota || Exhibition

Max Brunner, the photographer behind Folks of Minnesota, strives to show all parts of humanity that many individuals do not care to think about or often notice at first glance. As a society, we choose what we want to see, and through these photographs and written word, the viewer is confronted with community members and parts of the human condition that are not always pleasant or socially accepted.
By meeting people right where they are at in life, Brunner captures their truths, even if their truths are not socially accepted. Sometimes it is very difficult to be fully inclusive in a society that is filled with painful truths, and these stories that you read are from the perspective of that person, shared through their lens. By striving to capture all parts of humanity, messiness will occur. Humans are messy and we each have a story. We are our stories.

About the Artist:
I started Folks of Minnesota in April of 2023. Coming out of the pandemic, I realized that I was deeply lonely, longing for connection and community. I decided to tell the stories of Minnesotans from all walks of life. Without a real plan, I started walking the streets of Duluth, Minnesota, with my recorder and camera. I started asking folks, “What do you love about yourself?” This is an intensely personal and challenging question that catches people off guard. I don’t think we think about that question enough; the society we live in incentivizes vicious self-criticism and an endless search for perfection. What would we do if we just accepted ourselves as-is?
In March of 2025, my brother was murdered. Immediately, my entire life changed forever. Within just a few days, I moved, my job changed, and my entire understanding of reality was upended. After the initial shock and horror subsided, my need for community was at its zenith. To meet that need, I decided to start this series of photos and stories of the queer community of Central Minnesota. I hoped to find strength, comfort, and a sense of belonging at a time when I felt more alone than I ever had. What I found has been humbling and incredibly profound. I am honored that so many people shared their stories with me.
I have been queer all of my life. This has not been well received by some of the people closest to me; I’ve struggled with my identity and how I fit in an unkind world. Despite the prejudice I have faced, I have tried to live my life authentically. This is a common story for queer folx- we exist, boldly and bravely, despite the vicissitudes of politics, religion, and culture.  At this time in history, our trans siblings are under attack. Despite the dangers, many trans folx were willing to share their stories of discovery, growth, and resilience with me. The queer community is more vibrant because they exist.
While working on this project, I met the love of my life. You’ll find her in this collection. I never expected this would happen in the midst of such grief, and with someone who was one of my “folks.” I feel like I am home with her in a way that I have never felt before. I’ve thought a lot about what “home” means. To me, it means: family, peace, belonging, acceptance, safety, security, and feeling free to be who I am, without judgment, and with celebration. Home isn’t a place; it’s the people that foster those feelings and make the world feel a little smaller and kinder because they exist. Many of the people I met through this project told me similar stories of finding themselves and their “home,” as part of their journeys. We all deserve to feel safe and whole, cherished and supported wherever we find ourselves.
This project is my effort to showcase the diversity, beauty, and grit of the queer community in Central Minnesota. I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I did creating them.