The Black Culture, Through a Lens

Julius L. Jones

Historically black photographers have played an important role in documenting the African American experience through the art of photography. One of the most notable photographers was James Van Der Zee, whose work focused on capturing the daily lives and struggles of African Americans in the early 20th century. Van Der Zee's photographs often highlighted the aesthetic beauty and elegance of the black community, showcasing the dignity and pride of African Americans at a time when they were still facing significant discrimination and prejudice.

Another influential black photographer was Gordon Parks, who documented the African American experience during the Civil Rights era. Parks' work captured the struggles and triumphs of the movement, as well as the everyday lives of African Americans in the United States.

Despite their different backgrounds and time periods, Van Der Zee and Parks were both connected in their mission to document and preserve the stories and experiences of African Americans through their art. Their photographs offer a powerful visual narrative of the African American community and its history.

My exhibit showcasing the work of Van Der Zee and Parks voices the story of the African American experience through the lens of two of the most important photographers of the 20th century. From Van Der Zee's portraits of Harlem Renaissance luminaries to Parks' iconic photographs of the Civil Rights movement, the exhibit highlights the diverse experiences and struggles of African Americans throughout history.

The lesson or takeaway message from my exhibit is the importance of using art and photography as a means of preserving and sharing the stories of marginalized communities. By showcasing the beauty and complexity of the African American experience, these photographers were able to connect African Americans to their history and help to shape the way that the world sees and understands their contributions to society.

"Artist's mirror of black experience gleams after 74 years"

Series 2, Van Der Zee, james, 1982, Box: 88, Folder: 52. Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman memorial collection, 0000-0000-0000-0034. Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center, Inc. http://findingaids.auctr.edu/repositories/2/archival_objects/53556 Accessed May 04, 2023. Detroit, Michigan.

This is a newspaper about James Van Der Zee’s life, and how he trailblazed the concept of African American artistry through photography. This is significant because Van Der Zee is known for his portraits of African American life during the Harlem Renaissance, which he documented through his photographs. His work captured the vibrancy and diversity of the community, and he was celebrated for his ability to capture the essence and aesthetic of his subjects. Van Der Zee's photographs are an important record of African American life during a period of great cultural and social change. The rest of my exhibit encompasses culture through a lens.

“Picture-takin man”, 1982

Series 2, Van Der Zee, James, 1982, Box: 88, Folder: 52. Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman memorial collection, 0000-0000-0000-0034. Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center, Inc. . http://findingaids.auctr.edu/repositories/2/archival_objects/53556 Accessed May 04, 2023. Detroit, Michigan

Van Der Zee's photographic style captured the glamour and elegance of the Harlem Renaissance, with a focus on the black community's social and cultural achievements. His portraits of African American celebrities, political figures, and ordinary people became highly sought after and were featured in galleries and museums worldwide. This Is a newspaper on Van Der Zee, in which explains more about his journey as a black photographer during the Renaissance. It also speaks of his downfall as a black artist, from racial discrimination to having his ownership of his own studio, to losing it all. A black artist whose photography wasn’t recognized until he was very old. His documentation of the black aesthetic allowed African American people to truly be themselves.

“The Spelman Spotlight”, 1980

“The Spelman Spotlight, 1980 February 25.” The Spelman Spotlight, 25 Feb. 1980. Spelman College http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/sc.001:sc.001.1980.01. Accessed May 04, 2023. Atlanta, Georgia

This is the Spelman Spotlight Magazine. In the 80’s, the High Museum of Art would feature the works of the cohort “The black Photographer”. Amongst some of the major names like Gordon Parks, Tony Barboza, and James Van Der Zee, Roy DeCarava was one of the influential black artists whose photography gained notoriety. The Spelman Spotlight was a magazine organized by Spelman students, it’s almost like the news, and Roy’s work was on display in the magazine. DeCarava mostly photographed in “black and white” to reinforce the black aesthetic that moves our culture forward. DeCarava used his camera to document the lives of ordinary people, focusing on the beauty and dignity of their daily struggles. He was particularly interested in capturing the experience of African Americans, and his photographs often reflected the themes of community, family, and social justice.

“The Kitchen Table Series - Untitled”, 1990

Weems, Carrie Mae, and Sarah Elizabeth Lewis. Carrie Mae Weems: Kitchen Table Series. Seconded. New York, NY: MW Editions, 2022.

Throughout her career, Weems has been known for using her art to explore themes related to race, gender, class, and identity with a focus on the black aesthetic. Her work often centers on the experiences of African Americans, and she has been praised for her ability to address complex issues through a combination of images and text. Weems’ photograph “Untitled” is about a black man and woman at the table, finishing a meal, and enjoying each others’ presence. This is significant for the African American experience because this is the image of peace. This is rare, knowing the discrimination, and abuse that the couple may go through day to day. So this image reinforcing the black aesthetic and “middle passage”. Weems carefully captured and created the image of black American struggles.

“Negro children in the front door of their home”, 1942

Gordon Parks, Washington (southwest section), D.C. Negro children in the front door of their home. November 1942, Photographs and Prints Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.

Gordon Parks was a pioneering African American photographer, filmmaker, writer, and composer who used his talents to document the social and political realities of black life in America. His work as a photojournalist for Life magazine in the 1940s and 1950s exposed the harsh realities of segregation, poverty, and racism. He also used his art to celebrate the beauty and resilience of African American culture, capturing iconic images of musicians, writers, and activists. Through his photography and other creative works, Parks made significant contributions to the African American experience by shedding light on the struggles and achievements of black people, and by inspiring future generations to fight for social justice and equality.

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