Homeward to the Prairie I Come: Gordon Parks Photographs from the Beach Museum of Art 

One of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, Gordon Parks (1912-2006) was also renowned as a poet, filmmaker, author, composer, and activist. He is best known for his photojournalism from the 1940s to the 1970s that documented American life and culture, particularly the experiences of African Americans and the Civil Rights Movement. Parks once said, “I saw that the camera could be a weapon against poverty, against racism, against all sorts of social wrongs.” His thought-provoking photos act as powerful visual narratives that challenge the way we see ourselves, each other, and our world.

Parks forged many relationships in his home state of Kansas during his career, and in 1973, he donated over 100 career-spanning photographs to Kansas State University. Highlighting the life and career of Parks, Homeward to the Prairie I Come showcases poetry and prose by the artist alongside images from his gift to KSU that convey a wide range of artistic ideas. The exhibition features more than seventy photographs, including images captured by Parks for photojournalism and fashion assignments at LIFE magazine, striking portraits of prominent figures such as Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali, as well as examples of his experimental photography.

Homeward to the Prairie I Come: Gordon Parks Photographs from the Beach Museum of Art is organized by the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, Kansas State University. Generous support provided by Art Bridges.

IMAGES:

Muhammad Ali, from the series The Redemption of the Champion, 1966, printed in 2017, gelatin silver print, 24 x 20 inches (1973 print size: 44 1/8 x 31 1/8 inches), Kansas State University, Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, gift of Gordon Parks and the Gordon Parks Foundation, 2017.410

Uncle James Parks, from the series Fort Scott Revisited, 1950, printed in 2017, gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches, Kansas State University, Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, gift of Gordon Parks and the Gordon Parks Foundation, 2017.448

Pool Hall, from the series Fort Scott Revisited, 1950, printed in 2017, gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches, Kansas State University, Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, gift of Gordon Parks and the Gordon Parks Foundation, 2017.445

Mrs. Jefferson, from the series Fort Scott Revisited, 1950, printed in 2017, gelatin silver print, 20 x 16 inches, Kansas State University, Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, gift of Gordon Parks and the Gordon Parks Foundation, 2017.373