A new exhibition at the Princeton University Art Museum celebrates the photographers who helped solidify art photography as a movement in the mid-20th century. Titled Photography as a Way of Life, the show runs until 7 September and features works by Minor White, Aaron Siskind, Harry Callahan, and other influential image makers.
The Rise of Art Photography
As photography became mainstream, a group of Princeton teachers transformed how the medium was perceived. From the 1940s to the 1970s, White, Siskind, and Callahan pioneered new approaches that elevated photography to an art form. Their work, along with that of their students and peers, is showcased in the exhibition.
Key Photographers and Works
- Aaron Siskind – Known for his abstract expressionist images, such as Pleasures and Terrors of Levitation 37 (1953). Siskind founded the Photo League and taught photography at the IIT Institute of Design and Rhode Island School of Design.
- Minor White – Founder and editor of Aperture magazine, White taught at the California School of Fine Arts, Rochester Institute of Technology, and MIT. His image San Francisco, 16 July 1949 is featured.
- Harry Callahan – A former engineer who took up photography as a hobby, Callahan became a leading educator at the New Bauhaus and Rhode Island School of Design. His works include Eleanor, Chicago (1952) and Eleanor and Barbara, Chicago (1953).
- Ming Smith – The first female African American photographer in MoMA’s collection, Smith documented the African American experience. Her image Oopdeedoo, Brooklyn, New York (1976) is on display.
- Walter Chappell – Influenced by White, Chappell created black-and-white images of landscapes and the body. His photograph Burned Mirror Man, Denver, Colorado (1956) is included.
- Nathan Lyons – A mentee of White, Lyons served as curator at George Eastman House and editor of Aperture. He founded the Visual Studies Workshop.
The Exhibition's Impact
The exhibition explores how these photographers influenced higher education and the field of photography. Curated by Briana Ellis-Gibbs, it highlights the interconnected achievements of White, Siskind, Callahan, and their circle. Though Siskind and Callahan were not personally close to White, their works were shaped by his editorial vision for Aperture.
Visitors can see works from the Minor White Archive, the Estate of Harry Callahan, and other collections. The exhibition runs until 7 September at the Princeton University Art Museum.
