NEWS RELEASE
DATE:
CONTACT: Name
Organization
Phone Number
(Please retype on your own stationery, filling in the appropriate information
as indicated.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Recovered Views: African American Portraits, 1912–1925,
opening [opening date] at [your institution], presents 40 photographs
from a truly extraordinary collection.
The black-and-white portraits were made by an African American photographer
who lived and worked in Lincoln, Nebraska, in the early part of the
20th century. These portraits are more than just stunning images; they
document life in a vibrant black community in a small Midwestern city,
a society rarely depicted in any medium.
The story of how these photographs came to light is almost as fascinating
as the images themselves. In the spring of 1999, local researchers learned
of a group of glass-plate negatives held by a prominent black family
in Lincoln. It was immediately obvious from both the unique subject
matter of the negatives and their exceptional artistic quality that
this constituted an important find. Local and national publicity about
the find led to another huge cache of negatives by the same artist.
Over 300 negatives have surfaced so far.
The photographer who created these images was unquestionably skilled:
thorough understanding of pictorial composition is evident throughout
the exhibition. The photographs give evidence of a striking ability
to make his subjects feel at ease in front of the camera. This was a
period of great racial tension in Lincoln; nevertheless, a sense of
calm and dignity permeates the subjects.
The photographs are attributed to John Johnson, son of a black Civil
War veteran and a lifelong resident of Lincoln. Community elders remember
his travels through Lincoln by horse and buggy with camera and tripod,
taking photographs.
The 40 prints are digitally printed, high-resolution scans from original
prints and glass negatives. Recovered Views offers an opportunity
to see selections from one of the most important American artistic and
historical discoveries of recent years.
[In this paragraph, provide details about any activities you plan in
conjunction with the exhibition. Also include information about museum/gallery
hours, admission costs, and a phone number to call for additional information.]
Recovered Views: African American Portraits, 1912–1925, made
possible by generous grants from the Woods Charitable Fund, Inc. and
from the Cooper Foundation, is curated by John E. Carter, Special Projects
Coordinator at the Nebraska State Historical Society in Lincoln. The
exhibition is organized by the Nebraska State Historical Society and
toured by ExhibitsUSA. The purpose of ExhibitsUSA is to create access
to an array of arts and humanities exhibitions, nurture the development
and understanding of diverse art forms and cultures, and encourage the
expanding depth and breadth of cultural life in local communities. ExhibitsUSA
is a national division of Mid-America Arts Alliance, a private, nonprofit
organization founded in 1972.
*Please see www.exhibitsusa.org for the most current crediting information.
©2002 Mid-America Arts Alliance. All Rights Reserved
For more information E-mail or call us at 1-800-473-3872.
|
