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Small frames containing black-and-white photographs hang in DCA Galleries.

W. Eugene Smith

Photographs

3 July - 29 August 1999

Dundee Contemporary Arts was the only UK venue for this new retrospective of the work of one of the great American photojournalists of the century. 

Original prints of all Smith’s most significant works were included in the exhibition: from the extraordinary World War 2 photographs, through legendary photo essays for ‘Life’ magazine including ‘Country Doctor’ and ‘Spanish Village’, to his last major project, documenting and campaigning for the people of a Japanese fishing village (Minamata) caught up in an industrial poisoning disaster.

The genius of W. Eugene Smith was his ability to create unforgettable and passionate images. His approach was highly individual and lay in a life-long commitment to quality and integrity. His work revealed the documentary photograph to be as capable of poetic intensity as great painting or sculpture.

Born in Wichita, Kansas in 1918, W. Eugene Smith died in 1978 in Tucson, Arizona, now home to the Smith archive from which this exhibition has been selected.

‘They are taken between the shirt and the skin. Anchored between the shirt and the skin- at the heart- his camera moves even more by its passionate integrity.’ Henri Cartier-Bresson.

‘Gene Smith’s work validates my most vigorous conviction that if the documentary photograph is to be truly effective it must contain certain elements of art, intensity, fine craft and spirituality. All of these his work contains and we may turn to his work with gratitude, appreciation and great respect.’ Ansel Adams.

‘Photography is a small voice, at best, but sometimes- just sometimes- one photograph, or a group of them, can lure our senses to awareness. Much depends on the viewer; in some photographs can summon enough emotion to be a catalyst to thought. Someone- or perhaps many- among us may be influenced to heed reason, to find a way to right that which is wrong, and may even search for a cure to an illness. The rest of us may perhaps feel a greater sense of understanding and compassion for those whose lives are alien to our own. Photography is a small voice. I believe in it. If it is well conceived, it sometimes works.’  W. Eugene Smith.

Prime: Exhibition Notes

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Exhibition images

Small frames containing black-and-white photographs hang in DCA Galleries.
Framed newspaper and magazine clippings hang on a white wall, including a 'Life' magazine cover with a portrait of a lady on the front.
Small black-and-white photos on white backing hang on a. white wall. Text above the frames says 'The Loft from inside in'.
Small black-and-white photos on white backing hang on white walls. Text above the frames on one wall says 'Early work', while on the other wall the text says 'Second world war'
A fish eye lens photo of Small black-and-white photos on white backing hang on a. white wall. Text above the frames says 'Great Britain'
Newspaper clippings hang on white walls. Text above them says 'Postscript...'
Small frames containing black-and-white photographs hang in DCA Galleries.
Framed newspaper and magazine clippings hang on a white wall, including a 'Life' magazine cover with a portrait of a lady on the front.
Small black-and-white photos on white backing hang on a. white wall. Text above the frames says 'The Loft from inside in'.
Small black-and-white photos on white backing hang on white walls. Text above the frames on one wall says 'Early work', while on the other wall the text says 'Second world war'
A fish eye lens photo of Small black-and-white photos on white backing hang on a. white wall. Text above the frames says 'Great Britain'
Newspaper clippings hang on white walls. Text above them says 'Postscript...'
Small frames containing black-and-white photographs hang in DCA Galleries.
Framed newspaper and magazine clippings hang on a white wall, including a 'Life' magazine cover with a portrait of a lady on the front.
Small black-and-white photos on white backing hang on a. white wall. Text above the frames says 'The Loft from inside in'.
Small black-and-white photos on white backing hang on white walls. Text above the frames on one wall says 'Early work', while on the other wall the text says 'Second world war'
A fish eye lens photo of Small black-and-white photos on white backing hang on a. white wall. Text above the frames says 'Great Britain'
Newspaper clippings hang on white walls. Text above them says 'Postscript...'