Museum of Photographic Arts

12/02/2022

Last week, we proudly announced Cara Romero as the seventh recipient of the Lou Stoumen Prize in Photography.

This week, we’re taking a closer look at Lou Stoumen and this special award.

Louis C. Stoumen (1917-1991) was an accomplished writer, photographer and filmmaker who published 10 photography books and earned two Academy Awards for his film productions during a career that spanned more than four decades. He was well known for the use of text in his images to craft narratives, coining the phrase “paper movie” to describe his publications.

MOPA received his archive in 1992 and established the Lou Stoumen Prize in Photography.

Through a generous endowment, The Lou Stoumen Prize in Photography was created to award a mid-career photographer whose work deals broadly with the concepts of humanity. Relating in spirit to Lou Stoumen’s humanistic style, the prize-winning artist creates photography or photo-based work exploring the nature of humanity, cultures, religions, science and/or social causes. Only seven photographers have received the prize since its first award in 1996. Previously recognized artists include Debbie Fleming Caffery, Kenro Izu, James Nachtwey, Gary Schneider, Mikhael Subotzky, Fazal Sheikh and, most recently, Cara Romero.

Want to learn more? Head over to MOPA’s website to learn more about the life and work of Lou Stoumen.

11/29/2022

Join us this to support our mission as a vibrant center for visual learning.

From scholarship opportunities for youth to learning programs for all ages, your pledge helps us to engage, educate and inspire through photography and film. To learn more and donate, check out mopa.org/donation/

11/25/2022

Kick off your holiday shopping with a stop into MOPA’s Shop! 📸

This weekend only, from Friday, November 25 to Sunday, November 27, get a FREE select MOPA catalog with $20+ purchase.

Choose from a selection of MOPA publications including: Nancy Newhall: A Literacy of Images, New Visions: Art and Innovation in the 19th Century, Journey to Land's End: A Paper Movie by Lou Stoumen, Ablaze with Light and Life, and Staking Claim: A California Invitational.

Photos © George Al Reyes

11/24/2022

We are thrilled to announce as the winner of this year’s Lou Stoumen Prize in Photography!

Cara Romero is a contemporary fine art photographer and an enrolled citizen of the Indian Tribe. Romero’s photography – informed by her identity – , blends fine art and editorial photography. Her work is shaped by years of study, a visceral approach to representing Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultural memory, collective history, and lived experiences from a Native American female perspective.

To learn more about Cara, visit her website at www.cararomerophotography.com, and subscribe to MOPA’s YouTube and get notified when we post a conversation with Cara next month!

For more information about the Lou Stoumen Prize in Photography, please visit bit.ly/loustomenprize to learn more.

08/04/2022

Calling all macro photographers! We want to see your favorite larger-than-life shots. Comment below! 🔎📸

07/19/2022

Where are your favorite summer views in San Diego? Show us below! ☀️

07/15/2022

This week we celebrated black & white photographer Lee Friedlander 🥳 We want to see YOUR favorite b&w photos. Comment below!

07/07/2022

Summer nights = stargazing 🤩 and we want to see your favorite photos of the stars! We will reply to all! ✨👇

07/05/2022

July at MOPA! 😎
Read what's new at the museum this month in our newsletter:
https://bit.ly/3P19uIg

Image courtesy of Stacy Keck.

𝘒𝘢𝘳𝘭 𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘥𝘵: 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘐𝘯 𝘍𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴⁣ opened at the museum a few weeks back. Blossfeldt is regarded as a pioneer in, what is now known as, macro photography.

06/30/2022

Do you have a favorite summer recipe or treat you love to share? Show us in the comments below! 🍰😋🍡

06/22/2022

Have you been to the SD county fair yet? Show us in the comments your favorite fair fun! 🎡 🎟 🎠

06/10/2022

June at MOPA! ☀️

Read what's new at the museum this month in our newsletter:
https://bit.ly/3ttaU67

(Spoiler: New details about summer hours inside).

Image courtesy of Stacy Keck.

06/09/2022

They say life would be boring without any color so we want to see your most vibrant, colorful shots! Comment below! 📸

06/02/2022

Calling all nocturnal shutterbugs! Do you have a night shot you’re super proud of? We want to see it! We will reply to all. 🌙

06/01/2022

Museum of Photographic Arts updated their business hours.

Museum of Photographic Arts updated their business hours.

05/26/2022

We have some of the best sunsets here in SD and we want to see yours! Show us in the comments below 🌄

05/24/2022

Blue Water Film Festival kicks off with Inside Antarctica @ MOPA on June 2nd 🎞

The time is now: Over 12 million tons of plastic go into our oceans every year.

Nat Geo Explorer Mike Libecki heads to Antarctica to integrate microplastic science and machine learning tech in hopes to learn and find solutions for healthier planet.

Watch Inside Antarctica @ MOPA on June 2nd - Directed by Mike Libecki.

Get tickets today: https://www.goelevent.com/bluewaterfilmfestival/e/InsideAntarcticaMachineLearningMicroplastics

05/19/2022

Via : 𝘛𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘔𝘖𝘗𝘈 𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥. 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘮𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴.

Our favorite quote highlights why the museum matters today: 𝘔𝘖𝘗𝘈 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 “𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘴-𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘶𝘮,” 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤, 𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤, 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦, 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮, 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥.

Come visit us in Balboa Park Fridays to Sundays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Adding Thursdays after Memorial Day 😉).

Our new shows include:
* 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘺: 𝘓𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯⁣
* 𝘕𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘵: 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘌𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘺 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥⁣
* 𝘌𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳: 𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘑𝘦𝘥 𝘍𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨⁣



https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomteicholz/2022/05/18/san-diegos-photo-gem/?sh=68502e0796e5

05/19/2022

Does the beauty of our planet ever take your breath away?

Show us your favorite "planet Earth" photos in the comments below!

05/12/2022

In , showing at the Human Rights Watch Film Festival, we get a firsthand account of the extraordinary efforts of brave environmental crusaders , risking their lives to save a critically endangered slice of natural paradise in Palawan, Philippines. Join us from May 20 at : https://bit.ly/37axk3Z

MOPA is happy to partner with the digital festival this year. See more details below.

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐞
Get a $7 digital ticket to stream the films at the by entering code: RESIST2022 at checkout. Free tickets are available first-come first-served for any member of the public who needs them by emailing [email protected]

𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
For the first time ever, 9/10 of the films include Audio Description for audience members that are Blind or who have low vision, and captions for D/deaf and hard of hearing members of the audience.

𝗪𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. ⁣⁣
𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘮𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵@𝘩𝘳𝘸.𝘰𝘳𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶.
⁣
+ 𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝟸𝟶𝟶 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘥𝘦 𝘐𝘕𝘚𝘗𝘐𝘙𝘌𝟸𝟸 𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘮 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭.⁣

05/12/2022

World Premiere at , Clarissas Battle follows Clarissa Doutherd's journey as a community leader, political candidate and single mother. With lack of childcare access impacting millions across the globe, especially women and children of color, join Clarissa's fight to create change.

In NY cinemas, and online across the US, May 20-26, get your tickets now: https://bit.ly/3v5FEtT

MOPA is happy to partner with the digital festival this year. See more details below.

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐞
Get a $7 digital ticket to stream the films at the by entering code: RESIST2022 at checkout. Free tickets are available first-come first-served for any member of the public who needs them by emailing [email protected]

𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
For the first time ever, 9/10 of the films include Audio Description for audience members that are Blind or who have low vision, and captions for D/deaf and hard of hearing members of the audience.

𝗪𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. ⁣⁣
𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘮𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵@𝘩𝘳𝘸.𝘰𝘳𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶.
⁣
+ 𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝟸𝟶𝟶 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘥𝘦 𝘐𝘕𝘚𝘗𝘐𝘙𝘌𝟸𝟸 𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘮 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭.⁣

05/12/2022

When you think of the word "abstract" what do you see? Show us in the comments below! 🟢🔸◻️

05/11/2022

2022 GI Film Festival San Diego

Only 7 days until opening night at the !

From documentaries to dramas, there’s a little something for everyone in its 26 film lineup for, by, and about military and veterans.

Learn more and get your tickets: https://gifilmfestivalsd.org/2022/

GI Film Festival KPBS

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05/06/2022

Where are your favorite not-so-secret places to shoot? Let us know in the comments with a photo of your “spot” 📸

05/04/2022

What have you been taking pictures of this spring? Show us in the comments (we'll look at/reply to all) 📸

05/04/2022

May at MOPA!

Read what's new at the museum this month in our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3MRmG1f

About the image:
Nick Brandt's 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘑𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘢𝘭 will be on view in "This Empty World," which shows what might seem remote to American audiences: The uncomfortable friction between the natural world and the human world.

Image credit: Nick Brandt, 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘑𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘢𝘭, 2019, archival pigment print. Courtesy of the Baty Collection.

04/28/2022

The Q***r Photography of Maryam Şahinyan - The Q***r Armenian Library

Meet the first female studio photographer in Turkey: Maryam Şahinyan.

First female studio photographer in Turkey, Maryam Şahinyan was known for portrait photos of q***r people and couples.

04/25/2022

Tsaatan; Mongolia by Madoka Ikegami | Dodho

Meet the photographer who captured one of the last remaining groups of nomadic reindeer herders in Mongolia, Madoka Ikegami.

Madoka Ikegami ; This is a series of portraits and general shots of the Tsaatan and Mongolian people who live in and around the forests of the East Taiga region of Khovsgol province in northern Mongolia.

04/19/2022

The History of Joy - World Premiere

MOPA is a proud Vanguard Culture community partner and host venue for their red carpet world premiere of The History of Joy on Thurs. April 28th. Don't miss this provocative journey through the Eight Pillars of Joy. Written by award-winning poet and 3-time TEDx speaker, Gill Sotu.

Doors open at 5:30pm. Pre-show activities include art exhibitions, cocktails, wine tasting, photo station, and silent auction. Get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/HOJPremiere 🔥🔥🔥

World premiere of The History of Joy - a film inspired by The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama & Archbishop Desmond Tutu

04/16/2022

Legacy: Larry Friedman Collection - Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA)

Larry Friedman was a fearless collector interested in contemporary work that challenged the notion of what photography can be.

Now through September, see 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘺: 𝘓𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 in the MOPA galleries. Our summer hours are Thursday-Sunday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰
The collection of photographs that Dr. Larry Friedman put together reflects an emotional and intimate approach. He collected work that resonated with him, that spoke to him in a profound way.

The images shown in 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘺: 𝘓𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 represent a range of processes like the artfully crafted Photoshop work of Dutch artist Ruud van Empel or the platinum/palladium imagery of Japanese artist Takeshi Shikama.

The collection of photographs that Dr. Larry Friedman put together reflects an emotional and intimate approach. He collected work that resonated with him, that spoke to him in a profound way. He was a fearless collector interested in contemporary work that challenged the notion of what photography c...

04/15/2022

Jenny Irene Miller — Indigenous Futures Storytelling Project

“In order for our Native communities to heal, we need to acknowledge and honor the gender diversity within our Native peoples.” - Jenny Irene Miller

Jenny Irene Miller (Inupiaq) is originally from Nome, Alaska. Jenny employs photography, video, and sound in her art practice. Her practice is grounded in storytelling and her identity, from Indigeneity to q***rness, as well as familial and community relations. Jenny is informed and inspired by ki

04/12/2022

Michiko Chiyoda | LensCulture

“Hopefully, I will be able to convey messages to people all over the world, beyond countries and races, which resonate deeply with souls.” Meet Japanese photographer Michiko Chiyoda and her glimpses into the intimate moments of life.

After graduating from an art university, I got a job at an advertising agency as a graphic designer. Working there for years, I changed to a job at an optical equipment manufacturer and I restarted to take pictures. I have been quite active for creating my own photo works. Since the first personal e...

04/08/2022

Photomontage pioneer Jerry Uelsmann dies in Florida at 87

We are to hear of Jerry Uelsmann’s passing.

A great photographer who showed viewers how boundless the imagination could be.

https://apnews.com/article/technology-university-of-florida-florida-gainesville-arts-and-entertainment-4a8ca7ae6ffccf350e41d575d3c93ebe

MIAMI (AP) — Surrealist photographer and photomontage pioneer Jerry Uelsmann has died in Florida. He was 87. Uelsmann died Monday in Gainesville, where he was a professor emeritus at the University of Florida, according to a statement from the College of the Arts.

04/06/2022

Malick Sidibé - Biography

"We were entering a new era, and people wanted to dance. Music freed us. Suddenly, young men could get close to young women, hold them in their hands. Before, it was not allowed. And everyone wanted to be photographed dancing up close." Meet legendary Malian photographer Malick Sidibé.

Born in 1935 in Soloba, Mali Died in April 14th, 2016 in Bamako, Mali, where he lived and worked Malick Sidibé was born in a Peul family in a small village of Mali. He was noticed for his talent as a draftsman and was admitted to the School of Sudanese...

04/06/2022

April at MOPA! 🌸

Read what's new at the museum this month in our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3xazlI2

About the image:
David Maisel's Terminal Mirage 5 will be on view in "Legacy: Larry Friedman Collection," a show honoring MOPA's late friend Dr. Larry Friedman. Larry was a fearless collector interested in contemporary work that challenged the notion of what photography can be.

Image credit: David Maisel, Terminal Mirage 5, 2003, archival pigment print. Collection of Museum of Photographic Arts. Gift of the Lawrence Friedman Trust. © David Maisel

04/06/2022

We cannot wait to show you what's coming ...

Become a member today and join us in celebrating our three new exhibitions: Nick Brant: This Empty World, Encounter: Photographs by Jed Fielding, and Legacy: Larry Friedman Collection.

https://mopa.org/event/mopa-members-reception/

Image: Jed Fielding, Naples #43, 2014, archival inkjet print. Gift of Emanuel and Edithann M. Gerard, © Jed Fielding, 2021.

04/03/2022

The Underrecognized Photographers Who Showed Q***r Life in the 1960s

Meet Kay Lahusen: The photographer known as the first openly gay U.S. photojournalist.

Kay Tobin Lahusen and Diana Davies photographed many of the now iconic images of Pride protests and the daily life of LGBTQ+ couples.

04/02/2022

MOPA Members' Reception - Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA)

We cannot wait to show you what's coming ...

Become a member today and join us in celebrating our three new exhibitions: Nick Brant: This Empty World, Encounter: Photographs by Jed Fielding, and Legacy: Larry Friedman Collection.

https://mopa.org/event/mopa-members-reception/

Deborah Klochko, Executive Director & Chief Curator, and The Board of Trustees of the Museum of Photographic Arts cordially invite members to our Members’ Opening Reception. Become a member today and join us in celebrating our three new exhibitions: Nick Brant: This Empty World, Encounter: Photogr...

04/01/2022

Views and Voices: Delphine Sims on James Oliver Mitchell’s Portrait of Diane di Prima | BAMPFA

Visual documentation has gone hand in hand with activism since the earliest days of photography as an art form. It has helped catalyze movements and illuminate hidden truths, and whether it was photographing a skilled dancer or a fierce community advocate, James O. Mitchell considered the work he produced with his subjects to ultimately be collaborations. He believed this connection to be an important piece in creating his images and through his experience photographing the Alvin Ailey ballet group, he was also perceptive of the intricate movements and gestures of the body. This understanding would gain him notoriety from some of the Beat era poets and writers that were a part of his community.

One of those poets was Diane DiPrima. One of the few female writers to have been acknowledged as an integral member of the Beat Generation, DiPrima was fierce in her work surrounding feminism and environmental issues. After a day of poster hanging to promote her poetry, Mitchell decided to go to a spontaneous beat party where he would meet DiPrima. She asked him to take her portrait and booked a session with him without knowing him personally. Creating a safe space for his subjects, the portrait he took of DiPrima, melancholic with heavy contrasts and thoughtful positioning, would eventually become the cover for one of DiPrima’s most revolutionary works about the era, “Memoirs of a Beatnik.”

At a time of distance, our audio series Views and Voices: Personal Perspectives on the Collection is designed to bring you closer to the individual people behind BAMPFA and individual works from our art and film collections. We’ve invited staff and students with ties to BAMPFA to select a favorite...

03/29/2022

James Oliver Mitchell Obituary (1933 - 2021) San Francisco Chronicle

Growing up in New York City during the Harlem Renaissance, you would have been met with a generation of Black artists reclaiming their voices and pushing the boundaries of artistry. Born in Norfolk, VA in 1933 and raised in New York, James Oliver Mitchell quickly took an early interest in photography, snapping his first shot at 10 years old. From then on, seldom would there be a day where his camera wasn’t close at hand.

Mitchell graduated from the High School of Art & Design in NYC in 1952 and after graduation he would lend his thoughtful eye to documenting the legendary Alvin Ailey Ballet group, marking the beginning of his career. But like many young men that also grew up during this time, Mitchell would spend his early adulthood far from the vibrancy of his community fighting in World War II, but not without his camera close by.

While in Europe with the US Air force, Mitchell was able to photograph foreign lands while experiencing different cultures and meeting new people— greatly expanding the perspectives of this young Black artist and upon his return to the states in the 50s, he became involved in the anti-conformist literary beat movement. His philosophy of always being attentive to the moment, camera-ready, as well as his calm and welcoming demeanor, shaped his images. He quickly became a favorite of the beat era poets and writers, like Jack Kerouac and Diane DiPrima who were pushing the boundaries of publishing and freedom of speech throughout the 50s and 60s.

View James Oliver Mitchell's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.