Syracuse Sun

A new exhibition featuring the work of renowned photographer, writer, poet, musician, and composer Gordon Parks will open at the Syracuse University Art Museum on Aug. 22 and be on view through Dec. 10.

"Homeward to the Prairie I Come" showcases more than 75 of Parks' images, exploring his diverse artistic ideas. The exhibition includes Parks' documentary photography such as the series Paris Fashions, Fort Scott Revisited, and The Redemption of the Champion (featuring images of Muhammed Ali), as well as his thoughts on photography as a fine art medium and his engagement with celebrated paintings and sculptures.

Most significantly, the photographs challenge viewers to imagine a more inclusive culture: a world where Black skin represents ideal beauty, an African American athlete embodies the exemplary hero, and an artist of African heritage has a place within Western art history.

"This exhibition leverages the power of art to catalyze dialogue about the wide range of issues that Parks engaged with in his photography," says Melissa Yuen, interim chief curator at the museum. "From systemic racism to the labor and ethics of the global fashion industry to ideas of celebrity and home."

Emily Dittman, interim director of the museum, states: "Gordon Parks was a visionary interdisciplinary artist whose work had a lasting impact on the world. His dedication to continually tell the stories of individuals that were—and still are—too often hidden and overlooked is clearly evident and inspiring throughout his artistic work."

In this spirit, efforts are being made to create an accessible space for all communities. The interpretive text in the exhibition is bilingual (English and Spanish), large-type text will be available, and a family guide will help youth explore the exhibition. An open-access digital catalog for visitors will be available along with reading materials on Gordon Parks’ career. The exhibition will feature public programming free for all attendees.

Co-curated by Aileen June Wang, Ph.D., curator at Kansas State University's Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art; Sarah Price; registrar; Art Bridges organized this tour. Support comes from Art Bridges Foundation Wege Foundation and Humanities Center (Syracuse Symposium).

About Gordon Parks

Parks was one of America's greatest photographers in social justice themes like race relations poverty civil rights urban life from early 1940s into 2000s He was also distinguished composer author filmmaker interacting with leading figures Born into poverty segregation Fort Scott Kansas in 1912 drawn photography young man seeing migrant workers photos Farm Security Administration magazine After buying camera pawn shop self-taught despite no professional training won Julius Rosenwald Fellowship in 1942 led position FSA Washington DC later Office War Information Developing personal style became celebrated photographers breaking color line professional photography capturing social economic impact poverty racism discrimination

Featured Events

- Opening Reception & Keynote: Sept. 6

- Duke Ellington Orchestra: Sept. 22

- Screening “Shaft” directed by Gordon Parks: Oct. 4

- Community Day: Oct. 5

- Art Break with Nancy Keefe Rhodes: Oct. 16

- Celebrating Legacy Gordon Parks Nov.: Nov.9

- Community Gathering/Showcase Dec.: Dec7

For event information visit museum’s website Media contact Emily Dittman schedule tour