REDEFINING BLACK IDENTITY AND ELEVATING BLACK CONSCIOUSNESS: THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF MING SMITH.
Child Creative Studio is honoured to present Redefining Black Identity: The Photography of Ming Smith, a comprehensive survey of the esteemed Michigan-born artist, Ming Smith. Presented by Sowemimo Hamid.
This exhibition features an array of works spanning from the early 1970s to the present day, including numerous archival prints being displayed for the first time. Through her lens, Ming Smith captures the dynamic and multifaceted nature of Black identity.
| Smith’s deliberate play with light and shadow poignantly captures the resilience and endurance inherent in Black life. Her mastery in contrasting tones unveils emotional depth and complexity within her subjects, transforming ordinary moments into powerful narratives. |
With photographs from New York’s Coney Island and Harlem to Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and Gambela, Ethiopia, the exhibition showcases the rich tapestry of Smith’s experiences, her unique perspective, and her profound exploration of subjectivity as a central theme.
“Ming Smith’s photographs are lyrical, filled with light and shadow that dance together to create images that are as moving as they are beautiful. Her contribution to photography and to the representation of Black life is immeasurable.”
Deborah Willis, Smithsonian Magazine, 2020.
| Through techniques like motion blur and long exposures, Smith mirrors the fluidity and vibrancy of jazz and dance, fundamental to Black cultural expression. These methods not only animate her subjects but also evoke a sense of movement and continuity, symbolizing the enduring spirit of Black artistic traditions. |
“Ming Smith’s photography is a testament to the beauty and complexity of Black life. Her work is both a historical document and a work of art, offering insights that are as relevant today as they were when she first began.”
Deborah Willis, Artforum, 2018.
| “Representation is crucial. We need to see ourselves in art, in media, in every aspect of society.” |
| Smith’s photography encompasses a wide range of themes, from street life and urban landscapes to portraits of cultural icons and ordinary individuals. Her lens captures the nuances of everyday life while also addressing broader themes of identity, community, and the African diaspora experience in America. |
| “It wasn’t easy being a Black woman in this field, but my passion for photography and telling our stories kept me going.” |
“Smith’s work is a rare combination of technical mastery and deep emotional resonance. She sees beyond the surface, capturing moments that speak to the universal human condition while being distinctly rooted in the Black experience.”
Teju Cole, New York Times, 2019.
“My work is about elevating Black people, making us visible and recognized in the world of fine art.”
Ming Smith, New York Times, 2019.
| Smith’s photographic style is characterized by its poetic intimacy and raw emotional depth. She merges elements of documentary realism with a distinctly personal and introspective approach, often capturing her subjects in moments of vulnerability and strength. Her black-and-white compositions evoke a sense of timelessness, inviting viewers to contemplate the deeper narratives embedded within each frame. |
“Smith’s work is a rare combination of technical mastery and deep emotional resonance. She sees beyond the surface, capturing moments that speak to the universal human condition while being distinctly rooted in the Black experience.”
Teju Cole, New York Times, 2019.
| Ming Smith’s photography transcends the technical aspects of the medium; it is a profound exploration of humanity, culture, and the enduring spirit of resilience. Through her lens, she captures not just images but stories—stories of joy, pain, struggle, and triumph. Her work serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and the transformative potential of art to shape our understanding of ourselves and our world. |
ABOUT MING SMITH
Ming Smith was born in Detroit, Michigan, and raised in Columbus, Ohio, where her father, a pharmacist with a keen interest in photography, inspired her to pursue the art form. This early exposure laid the foundation for her future career, embedding in her a deep appreciation for capturing the essence of everyday moments and the people within them.
Smith attended Howard University, where she majored in microbiology as a pre-med student. After graduating in 1973, she moved to New York City and began a career in modelling, which ran parallel to her growing involvement in photography. The vibrant cultural scene of New York, especially in Harlem, provided fertile ground for her artistic exploration.
In 1975, Smith became the first female member of the Harlem-based Kamoinge Workshop, under the leadership of Roy DeCarava. This collective played a crucial role in promoting the perspectives of Black photographers during a critical time in American history, fostering a community that celebrated and elevated Black artistry.
Smith’s work has been featured in numerous influential exhibitions. In 2010, her photographs were showcased in the Museum of Modern Art’s exhibition “Pictures by Women: A History of Modern Photography,” alongside notable photographers like Diane Arbus. In 2017, the Steven Kasher Gallery in New York celebrated her extensive career with an exhibition of 75 vintage black-and-white prints, offering a comprehensive look at her artistic journey.
Throughout her career, Smith has captured many important cultural figures, including Alvin Ailey and Nina Simone. Her ability to convey deep narratives through her images was also evident in the “Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power” exhibition at the Tate Modern, which travelled to several major U.S. museums. This exhibition highlighted her role in documenting and influencing the visual narrative of Black identity in America.
Ming Smith’s contributions to photography have been widely recognized and praised by notable figures in the art world. Art historian and curator Kellie Jones described her work as “revolutionary in its ability to capture the intangible spirit and resilience of Black life,” while Thelma Golden, Director of The Studio Museum in Harlem, called her photographs “a testament to the beauty and complexity of Black life.” These accolades underscore Smith’s impact on cultural documentation and artistic expression.
References
All About Photo. (n.d.). Ming Smith. Retrieved June 23, 2024, from https://www.all-about-photo.com/photographers/photographer/1372/ming-smith
Contemporary (2023). Ming Smith receives Lifetime Achievement Award by ICP. Retrieved June 23, 2024, from https://contemporaryand.com/magazines/ming-smith-receives-lifetime-achievement-award-by-icp
Houldsworth Gallery. (n.d.). Painting with light: The photography of Ming Smith. Retrieved June 23, 2024, from https://www.houldsworth.co.uk/viewing-room/7-painting-with-light-the-photography-of-ming-smith/
International Center of Photography. (2023). Lifetime Achievement award given to Ming Smith. Retrieved June 23, 2024, from https://www.icp.org/
Smith, M. (n.d.). About Ming Smith. Retrieved June 23, 2024, from https://mingsmithstudio.com/about
Smithsonian American Art Museum. (2020). Working together: Louis Draper and the Kamoinge Workshop. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Retrieved June 23, 2024, from https://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/working-together
Steven Kasher Gallery. (n.d.). Ming Smith. Retrieved June 23, 2024, from https://www.stevenkasher.com/artists/ming-smith
Wikipedia. Ming Smith. Retrieved June 23, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ming_Smith (Page visited on 23/06/2024),
Akanni
Beautiful ! !