Gordon Parks

Gordon Parks

Photographer, Writer, Director, Artist

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Gordon Parks can be classed as one of the high-profile, if not albeit underrated  photographers, in American history. Through his films and photography, he captured the tenor of the African American experience and some of the racial inequality of the day. More specifically his work in LIFE Magazine was used as a platform to showcase the Black experience to a mainstream audience. With Harlem as a backdrop, his photography shone a light on life in the community and he used his platform to showcase the ebbs and flow of the Black experience.  Parks defied stereotypes with his photographs (and his writing), as he consciously aimed to change the way that African Americans were depicted in the media. While working at the FSA and Office of War Information (and beyond), he focused on trying to change the perspective into a new narrative.

Born in Fort Scott, Kansas on November 12, 1912, Gordon Parks attended segregated throughout his childhood, and was discouraged from ever going to college or pursuing any form of higher education. At the age of 25, after being inspired by a photograph of migrant workers in a magazine, he bought his first camera at a pawnshop and taught himself how to take photos. While developing his first roll of film, the photography clerk encouraged him to look for employment at a women’s clothing store in St. Paul, Minnesota. His photographs at the store caught the attention of Marva Louis, wife of heavyweight boxer Joe Louis, who prompted him to move to Chicago, where he began a portrait business. He began to specialize in capturing the myriad experiences of African Americans across the city of Chicago and was eventually approached to join the Farm Security Administration to chronicle the nation’s conditions.

During Parks work with the FSA and Office of War Information parks gained a reputation for being able to show the humanity of the people and subjects that he photographed. This led to his ability to work for Life magazine, being the first African American photographer to be on the magazines staff. Although Life Magazine was mainly viewed by Caucasian Americans Parks could show his viewpoint as an African American to change the perspective of the people reading the magazine. Parks used his skills in both photography and writing, to create essays combining both media to share deeper stories and change the perspective in which African Americans were seen. His photograph showed the beauty of the young Black men and also the horrible part of society and how they see the Black people.

Emerging Man, Gordon Parks

American Gothic, Gordon Parks

 Veering into the world of film with works like “The Learning Tree” and both iterations of “Shaft” 1971 and 2000 respectively, it was interesting to note that he would delve deeper into the world of the moving picture to expand his visions. Parks became Hollywood’s first major Black director in 1969, and has been cited as a major source of inspiration by subsequent Black directors including Mario Van Peebles, John Singleton and Spike Lee.

References

1. https://www.moma.org/artists
2. https://artsandculture.google.com
3. http://www.artnet.com/artists/gordon-parks
4. https://www.icp.org
5. https://www.nga.gov/education/teachers/lessons-activities/uncovering-america/parks-photography.html
6. https://www.gordonparksfoundation.org/
7. https://www.theartstory.org/artist/parks-gordon/life-and-legacy/