In the world’s art capital, various forms of visual expression are all around us though, there’s something uniquely compelling about experiencing photography in its tangible form. Photo exhibitions offer a chance to immerse ourselves in the artistry, storytelling, and emotional depth captured within each frame. Here, we delve into seven extraordinary photo exhibitions that are currently captivating audiences around the globe.
- The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Through July 28
- This groundbreaking exhibition showcases over 160 works by Black artists, highlighting the emergence of modern Black cities during the 1920s–40s, particularly in Harlem and across the United States during the Great Migration. This first art museum survey in New York City since 1987 redefines the Harlem Renaissance as pivotal in the development of international modern art, featuring artists such as Charles Alston, James Van Der Zee, and Meta Warrick Fuller alongside European counterparts like Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. Works are sourced from collections including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, major museums like the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and private collections worldwide.
- Master Class: Photographs by Four African-American Photojournalists, Keith de Lellis Gallery
- Through April 19
- Keith de Lellis presents an exhibition featuring four renowned African-American photographers – Eli Reed, Coreen Simpson, Ozier Muhammad, and Beuford Smith – who carved illustrious careers in photojournalism. Each artist’s distinct vision is showcased through roughly a dozen images, capturing moments of historical and cultural significance through a Black lens with empathy and authenticity. Notable aspects of this show include Eli Reed’s poignant portraits, Coreen Simpson’s empathetic gaze, Ozier Muhammad’s historical documentation, and Beuford Smith’s resonant reflections on the aftermath of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.
- Vivian Maier: Unseen Work, Fotografiska
- May 31 – September 1, 2024
- Vivian Maier: Unseen Work presents an extensive retrospective of Maier’s photography from the 1950s to the 1980s, featuring around 200 pieces including vintage prints, modern prints, color and black-and-white photographs, super 8 films, and soundtracks – a comprehensive archive that offers insight into post-war America and the pursuit of the American Dream.
- Zayira Ray: interthread, Baxter St
- Through April 24
- Indian-American artist, Zayira Ray captures tender moments against hand-painted canvas backdrops, reimagining traditional portraiture as a sanctuary for connection and reconciliation. Through staged yet candid images, Ray celebrates the diverse bonds within Brown communities worldwide, navigating themes of displacement and resilience. Her work highlights the shared grief and interconnectedness amidst societal narratives of subjugation, fostering collective empowerment through intimate storytelling across generations and cultures.
- Nona Faustine: White Shoes, Brooklyn Musuem
- Through July 7
- Artist Nona Faustine’s photographic series, White Shoes, questions the contemporary image of Blackness in locations once tied to the slave trade, such as New York City. Through over 40 self-portraits taken across the city, Faustine stands in sites with historical ties to enslavement, adorned only in sensible white pumps—a symbol of colonial oppression. This exhibition marks Faustine’s first solo museum showcase, prompting viewers to confront the often hidden legacies of trauma in their own communities as historical education faces erasure.
- Reynaldo Rivera: También la Belleza, MoMA PS1
- May 16 – September 1, 2024
- MoMA PS1 debuts Reynaldo Rivera’s first solo museum exhibition, showcasing over forty photographs spanning from the 1980s to the present, including never-before-seen images from his archive. Raised in various Californian cities and drawing inspiration from post-punk culture, Rivera’s work captures an intercultural bohemia with subjects basking in self-staged glamour. His photographs, influenced by the emotion of boleros and the allure of Old Hollywood, canonize both famous figures like Annie Lennox and lesser-known individuals, skillfully utilizing available light to illuminate even the darkest corners. Based in Los Angeles, Rivera’s work has been featured in prominent exhibitions and publications, earning placement in esteemed collections such as MOCA, the Getty Museum, and MoMA.
- Conzo: A Look Back at the Bronx 1977-84, Bronx Documentary Center
- Through April 21
- Joe Conzo Jr., born in 1963 in the South Bronx, developed a passion for photography during his youth. Growing up amidst cultural and activist movements, Conzo found himself at the heart of Bronx’s transformation, influenced by his father’s connections to Tito Puente, his grandmother’s community activism, and his peers’ role in shaping Hip Hop culture. Carrying his camera from the age of 10, Conzo captured pivotal moments ranging from school walkouts to iconic rap battles, resulting in a compelling photographic chronicle of the Bronx’s evolution over the past 45 years.
