About two weeks ago I happened upon a nifty photography exhibit at the Art Institute in Chicago. It’s kind of unique because it is based around, Hugh Edwards, a former curator of 30 years for photography at AI. There is some really nice work from Ansel Adams and Edward Weston as well as Civil War era images.
When I was in college my professor, George Strimbu, would sometimes show us work that he had made as a student at the Institute of Design in Chicago and would talk about some of his professors. Some of the people he talked about are in the show. It was fascinating to see this work and relate it back to what I remember of George’s work and the photographic philosophy he taught from. I have always been grateful for George’s guidance and mentorship. I also thank my stars that we met at the absolute right time to set me on the path I have been following for 30 years.
Seeing the work and reading about how these artists were forging new paths with their vision, it does make me wonder what that evolution must have looked or felt like. When seeing the collection, I try to put my mind back to the time these images were first seen and how they must have seemed so different but today, normal.
The Photographer’s Curator: Hugh Edwards at the Art Institute of Chicago, runs through October 29th
