Gordon Parks Boeken

Focusing on new research and access to forgotten pictures, The New Tide, Early Work 1940–1950 documents the importance of these years in shaping Gordon Parks’ passionate vision. The book brings together photographs and publications made during the first and most formative decade of his 65-year career. During the 1940s Parks’ photographic ambitions grew to express a profound understanding of his social, cultural and political experiences. From the first photographs he published in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and his relationship to the Chicago Black Renaissance, to his mentorship with Roy Stryker and his breakthrough work for America’s influential picture magazines—including Ebony and Life—this book traces Parks’ rapid evolution from an accomplished, self-taught practitioner to a groundbreaking artistic and journalistic voice. Co-published with the Gordon Parks Foundation and the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D. C.

This collection presents a comprehensive overview of Gordon Parks' photography spanning five decades, documenting his legendary career as one of the most influential African-American photographers of the twentieth century. Parks skillfully combined documentary and artistic styles with a deep commitment to social justice, initially working for the Farm Security Administration and later for Life magazine. He focused on extended narrative stories addressing complex issues such as crime, poverty, segregation, and race relations, showcasing his ability to blend insight with a lyrical aesthetic. His work introduced diverse audiences to often-overlooked subjects and ideas. Parks was versatile, capturing news events, fashion, and cultural scenes worldwide. Later in life, he adopted a more personal and poetic approach, creating allusive color photographs. Born in 1912 in Fort Scott, Kansas, Parks overcame poverty and segregation, eventually becoming a self-taught photographer after buying a camera from a pawnshop. He also excelled as a film director, author, and composer, notably popularizing the Blaxploitation genre with his film Shaft. Parks received numerous accolades, including the National Medal of Arts and over fifty honorary degrees. His retrospective exhibition, “Half Past Autumn: The Art of Gordon Parks,” was held at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in 1997. Parks passed away in 2006.

"Gordon Parks's spectacular rise from poverty, personal hardships, and outright racism is astounding and inspiring." --from the foreword by Wing Young Huie

Gordon Parks--photographer, film director, writer, composer--reflects on his own dramatic life, from his poor Kansas origins to his great triumphs in America and abroad.

Gordon Parks' journey in 1957 to capture crime in America for Life magazine resulted in a groundbreaking photo-essay that challenged prevailing stereotypes of criminality. His use of color photography provided a vivid portrayal of violence, police work, and incarceration, emphasizing the social and economic factors behind crime. By moving beyond clichéd narratives, Parks offered a nuanced perspective that highlighted the complexities of these issues. This collection features never-before-published photographs from his original work, showcasing his empathetic and candid approach to a hidden world.

Focusing on Stokely Carmichael, a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement, this work captures his journey as the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee during a transformative period. Gordon Parks provides an intimate portrayal, blending insightful writing with striking photography, showcasing Carmichael's charisma, intelligence, and humor. The essay highlights the essence of the Black Power movement, emphasizing themes of self-determination and love, while offering a deeper understanding of both the leader and the broader societal impact of his message.

Focusing on the iconic 1942 photograph of Ella Watson, this book explores the intersection of race, class, and gender in Washington, D.C. Through a collaboration between photographer Gordon Parks and Watson, a government custodian, it presents an intimate portrayal of her life and the broader Black experience. The collection includes over 50 images, many previously unpublished, alongside archival materials that highlight Watson's significance in her community and the civic landscape. This work serves as both a visual narrative and a historical commentary on segregation.

Meet eleven women from the Chesapeake Bay: waterwomen, boat captains, businesswomen, scientists, and historians. Individually, these women's lives have been influenced and enriched by living on or near the Bay. As a collection, they are some of the great Chesapeake storytellers. Their stories are both informative and entertaining. Some tell of a Bay that was more pristine and wholesome than it is presently and a time when most of the people made their livelihood from the Bay. They tell of the unique culture and heritage that bond their lives and share the hope that their beloved Chesapeake will once again be healthy and the folks who live along her shores will truly be stewards not only of her but also of each other. Through their stories, their memories, we can only hope that their dreams will someday come true.

This book explores a once-popular picture story by Gordon Parks and the extraordinary chain of events it prompted. Published in Life magazine in June 1961 as “Poverty: Freedom’s Fearful Foe,” this empathetic photo-essay profiled the da Silva family, living in a hillside favela near a wealthy enclave of Rio de Janeiro. Focused primarily on the eldest son Flavio, an industrious twelve-year-old suffering from crippling asthma, Parks’ story elicited more than 3,000 letters and $25,000 in donations from Life readers to help the family and the favela. In Brazil the story sparked controversy; one news magazine, O Cruzeiro, retaliated against Life, sending photographer Henri Ballot to document poverty in New York City. Undeterred, Life embarked on a multi-year “rescue” effort that involved moving Flavio to a Denver hospital, relocating the family to a new home and administering funds to support the favela. The story, as well as Parks’ relationship to Flavio, continued to develop over many years. The details of this extraordinary history provide a fascinating example of US exceptionalism during the early 1960s and a revealing look inside the power and cultural force of the “Great American Magazine.” Co-published with The Gordon Parks Foundation