Spring Exhibition Opening: Been Seen

515 Malcolm X Blvd,New York NY 10030

31 March, 2022

Description

Opening of our latest exhibition featuring the work of photographer Austin Hansen (1910-1996) and seven contemporary photographers. IN-PERSON Join us for the opening of our latest exhibition Been Seen curated by Novella Ford, Associate Director of Public Programs and Exhibitions. This exhibition highlights the work of Harlem-based photographer Austin Hansen (1910-1996) and the experience of Black photographers illuminating the fullness of Black life, constructing a catalog of survival that includes joy, pageantry, and leisure alongside struggles for justice, dignity, and equity. Been Seen places the work of Hansen in conversation with seven contemporary photographers: Dario Calmese, Cheriss May, Flo Ngala, Ricky Day, Gerald Peart, Mark Clennon and Lola Flash. During the opening there will be a reception and conversation with participating photographers to discuss their practices exploring identity, Black experiences, visual culture, and portraiture. 5:00 PM Exhibition Opening 6:30 PM Photography Program Learn more about Been Seen here. This event will have limited capacity. Visitors must wear a mask the duration of the program. FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHERS (L-R) Dario Calmese Sitting at the nexus of art, fashion and academia, Dario is an artist, urbanist, director and brand consultant currently based in Harlem, New York. In 2020 he made history as the first Black photographer to shoot a cover for Vanity Fair in it’s 106-year history with his portrait of Oscar-winning actress, Viola Davis. Cheriss May Cheriss is a lauded portrait and editorial photographer based in Washington, D.C. She is a member of the Board of Directors for Focus on the Story, the immediate past president of Women Photojournalists of Washington (WPOW), and co-chair of photography at The National Press Club. Ricky Day was born in Saint Louis, Missouri and raised in Los Angeles, California. He is a visual artist, photographer, filmmaker and musician working primarily with themes related to identity, sub-culture and popular culture. Day lives and works in Harlem, New York. Gerald Peart is a self-taught professional photographer with over 30 years of service and credits to his name. Gerald’s introduction to photography came by way of NYABJ – The New Association of Black Journalists. He was chosen by CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) as a Delegation Photographer and traveled to Nigeria in 1996 during the country’s electoral process from military rule to democracy. Mark Clennon is a New York-based photographer with a particular focus on editorial, commercial and documentary projects. Adeptly jumping between these forms of photography. His images are nuanced and multifaceted, capturing joy, pain, triumph and everything in between. Clennon is based in Harlem, New York. Flo Ngala is a New York-based portrait photographer and photojournalist from Harlem, New York. ​Known for her celebrity portraits and capturing key images of artist Cardi B, Ngala's work is at the intersection of photojournalism and portraiture. Lola Flash has been working at the forefront of genderqueer visual politics for more than four decades, challenging stereotypes and gender, sexual, and racial preconceptions. Flash works primarily in portraiture, engaging those who are often deemed invisible. _______________________ #SchomburgLive PUBLIC NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER IN-PERSON | By registering for this event, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. By attending an in-person program at The New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold The New York Public Library, its Trustees, officers, agent and employees liable for any illness or injury. If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or suspect you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, please stay home. FIRST COME, FIRST SEATED Events are free and open to all, but due to space constraints registration is requested.  Registered guests are given priority check-in 15 to 30 minutes before start time. After the event starts all registered seats are released regardless of registration, so we recommend that you arrive early.  GUESTS Please note that holding seats in the Langston Hughes Auditorium is strictly prohibited and there is no food or drinks allowed anywhere in the Schomburg Center. AUDIO/VIDEO RECORDING Programs are photographed and recorded by the Schomburg Center. Attending this event indicates your consent to being filmed/photographed and your consent to the use of your recorded image for any all purposes of the New York Public Library. PRESS Please send all press inquiries (photo, video, interviews, audio-recording, etc) at least 24-hours before the day of the program to Leah Drayton at [email protected]. Please note that professional video recordings are prohibited without expressed consent.