Interview

Photography is my Heart

Parade Chicago1968

Description

View John Simmons: Photography is my Heart Online

Bridget R. Cooks, Ph.D.: Curator

John Simmons has been building an archive of Black American life since he was a teenager growing up in Chicago in the 1960s. His unique observational skills have captured poignant moments that otherwise would have passed unnoticed. The selection of photographs curated for this exhibition is a modest offering of the subtle and beautiful ways in which Simmons stops time and encourages viewers to linger. They provide a sample of a lifetime of documentary and creative work in still photographs that spans over fifty years. 

Known primarily as a cinematographer, Simmons started his creative life with collage works on paper and photography. He was mentored by photojournalist Robert Sengstacke whose pictures in the Chicago Defender defined Black American culture in the 1960s and ‘70s. As a student at Fisk University, Simmons apprenticed for the great illustrator and muralist, Aaron Douglas, known as the father of the Harlem Renaissance. 

Read the entire curatorial statement here.

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The Director of Philanthropy of the Portland Art Museum and our good friend, John Goodwin (@johngpdx) shares his take on how artists should cultivate their relationships with gallerists, museum directors and curators, to open new opportunities for exhibiting their art. 
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“Photography or image-based art will inevitably be the most influential art form moving forward, and the works that we’re dealing in—these small photographs from history—are the seeds of that movement.”
- Bruce Silverstein, Eponymous Gallery
What do you think?
@theartnewspaper.official
We want to thank everyone for coming out to our online exhibition, John Simmons “Photography is my Heart”. Your presence made a historic difference! If you weren’t able to make this one, you can still see the exhibition online!  The link is in the bio.
Thank you @johnsimmonsasc @bcooks2001 Family, Friends, Colleagues + 
#dotredco #photographyismyheart #losangelesphotgraphy #artlivesinconversation #photography #fineartphotography
📽️ Really excited to have Bridget R. Cooks, Ph. D. curate our next online solo exhibition, “Photography is my Heart” by John Simmons, renowned and Emmy Award - Winning Cinematographer and Multimedia Artist. 
📌 Join us for this online exhibition Wednesday, September,  6th 2023 at 5:30 PST. Link in bio to RSVP
📸cc: @meech213 
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#dotred #johnsimmons #artlivesinconversation #laphotographers #artexhibition

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