Erin "Tiny" Blackwell was a teen prostitute and the primary focus of the 1984 film "Streetwise," which documented runaway youth in Seattle. The movie evolved from a photo assignment Mary Ellen Mark had for Life magazine.
Erin "Tiny" Blackwell was a teen prostitute and the primary focus of the 1984 film "Streetwise," which documented runaway youth in Seattle. The movie evolved from a photo assignment Mary Ellen Mark had for Life magazine.
Mary Ellen Mark/Aperture
Tiny stands on Seattle's Pike Street in 1983. Over the years, Mark kept up with Tiny and even tried to bring her in New York to live with her and her husband, "Streetwise" director Martin Bell.
Tiny stands on Seattle's Pike Street in 1983. Over the years, Mark kept up with Tiny and even tried to bring her in New York to live with her and her husband, "Streetwise" director Martin Bell.
Mary Ellen Mark/Aperture
Tiny in 1983. "Mary Ellen instantly knew she would be the star of the photographs," Bell said. "Because Mary Ellen was always looking for <em>that</em>. There <em>it</em> was." Mark passed away earlier this year, but her collection "Tiny, Streetwise Revisited" will be released in a book along with a follow-up film later this fall.
Tiny in 1983. "Mary Ellen instantly knew she would be the star of the photographs," Bell said. "Because Mary Ellen was always looking for that. There it was." Mark passed away earlier this year, but her collection "Tiny, Streetwise Revisited" will be released in a book along with a follow-up film later this fall.
Mary Ellen Mark/Aperture
Patti, one of the children in "Streetwise," fights in 1983.
Patti, one of the children in "Streetwise," fights in 1983.
Mary Ellen Mark/Aperture
Two other children profiled in "Streetwise" were White Junior and Justin, seen here in 1983.
Two other children profiled in "Streetwise" were White Junior and Justin, seen here in 1983.
Mary Ellen Mark/Aperture
Another child in the film, Dewayne, lies in his coffin in 1984. He hanged himself before his 17th birthday.
Another child in the film, Dewayne, lies in his coffin in 1984. He hanged himself before his 17th birthday.
Mary Ellen Mark/Aperture
Tiny and her mother, Pat, pose for a photo in 1993.
Tiny and her mother, Pat, pose for a photo in 1993.
Mary Ellen Mark/Aperture
One of Tiny's children, Keanna, holds a baby crab at a beach in 1999.
One of Tiny's children, Keanna, holds a baby crab at a beach in 1999.
Mary Ellen Mark/Aperture
Tiny and her husband, Will, pose with their children in 2003.
Tiny and her husband, Will, pose with their children in 2003.
Mary Ellen Mark/Aperture
One of their children, Ranaja, sleeps in Keanna's lap in 2004.
One of their children, Ranaja, sleeps in Keanna's lap in 2004.
Mary Ellen Mark/Aperture
One of Tiny's children, LaShawndrea, does her hair in 2004. She got the black eye from a fight in school.
One of Tiny's children, LaShawndrea, does her hair in 2004. She got the black eye from a fight in school.
Mary Ellen Mark/Aperture
Tiny's daughter Kayteonna kneels in a pool in 2014.
Tiny's daughter Kayteonna kneels in a pool in 2014.
Mary Ellen Mark/Aperture
Tiny's daughter J'Lisa looks through blinds in 2014.
Tiny's daughter J'Lisa looks through blinds in 2014.
Mary Ellen Mark/Aperture
Tiny cries in 2014.
Tiny cries in 2014.
Mary Ellen Mark/Aperture
J'Lisa plays ballerina outside in 2014.
J'Lisa plays ballerina outside in 2014.
Mary Ellen Mark/Aperture