Studio Museum of Harlem - Gordon Parks' Photos

Yesterday was my 1st visit to the Studio Museum of Harlem located @ 125th/Colin Powell Ave.  The Museum houses a permament collection of some of the most prominent, contemporary African American artists.  The modern 3 level structure is home to many important works: a magnificient Sam Gilliam oil painting, a Glenn Ligon abstract multi-media painting, a Melvin Edward's Lynch Fragment sculpture, Beauford Delaney paintings and a stretched hoisery sculpture by Senga Nengudi to highlight just a few.  The current exhibits include a site multi-media instillation by Mendi & Keith Obadike & Gordon Park's powerful photo essay "A Harlem Family 1967," featured in Life Magazine.  Obadikes' installation incorporates video & sound to shed light on America's history in relation to race & genetics.  The video is of a twirling helix shape placed within a room with the sound of a ringing bell.  The bell belonged to Sally Hemming which was given to her by Jefferson's wife; Hemmings' 1/2 sister.  (I was just made aware of this relationship.)  Gordon Parks' photo essay is a searing pictural of a family struggling in dire poverty in the disparaging Harlem neighborhood of the late 60's.  Parks was a self-taught artist raised in a racially divided southern community.  He attended a segregated elementary school.  The racially mixed high school he attended barred black students from participating in any after school activities and were discouraged from attending universities after graduation.  Parks moved to Chicago in the 40's where he first photographed the daily lives of low income black families in the inner city.  The poignant series of Parks' photos capture pain, despair & hardships faced in this community on a daily basis. Parks said his photos are intended to leave "future generations to know what we were like, and the important major things that shaped our history at that time.  This is as imporant for historic reasons as any other."  This was the 1st of many future visits to The Studio Museum of Harlem to reflect on art's impact & social impetus for chance.