From a crowd gathered in Central Park to solitary figures lost in thought, Dave Heath’s powerful photographs of loss and hope conjure feelings of alienation and a desire for human connection. Multitude, Solitude highlights the photographer’s black-and-white pictures of the 1950s and 1960s, an intense period of self-discovery and innovation for the artist. During these pivotal years, Heath developed groundbreaking approaches to narrative and image sequence, producing exquisite individual prints; handmade book maquettes; his poetic masterwork, A Dialogue with Solitude; and multimedia slide presentations. His sensitive explorations of loss, pain, love and hope reveal Heath to be one of the most original photographers of those decades.
This exhibition is the first comprehensive survey of Heath’s deeply personal early work. Abandoned by both his parents by the age of 4, Heath lived in Philadelphia foster homes and in an orphanage until the age of 16. The turmoil of his childhood profoundly shaped Heath and his artistic vision. Just before his 16th birthday, he encountered a poignant photo-essay about foster care in Life magazine and became intrigued by photography’s potential to transcend simple reportage. Almost entirely self-taught, Heath channeled his feelings of abandonment into a body of work that underscores the importance and difficulties of human contact and interaction. Multitude, Solitude reaffirms Heath’s status as a key figure in twentieth-century photography and highlights his deeply empathetic sensibility.
Used with permission from the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
This exhibition has been organized by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri. In Fort Worth, the exhibition is supported by The Pangburn Foundation and in part by a grant from the Arts Council of Fort Worth.
Visitors have the opportunity to reflect on major themes in Heath’s book A Dialogue with Solitude, as well as browse various books that inspired the artist. Digital reproductions of two of Heath’s photobook prototypes and a touch screen about his photographic process are available for visitors to explore.
Large print labels are available for use in the exhibition.
Free docent-guided tours of this exhibition take place Thursday through Sunday at 3 p.m. and begin at the exhibition entrance on the second floor. No reservations are required.
Visit the museum’s Library to learn more about Dave Heath. The Library offers public hours on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Thursdays from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
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