Articles

Soulmaker: The Times of Lewis Hine is an exhibition at Stanford University's Cantor Arts Center showcasing the powerful photographs of Lewis Hine, who documented child labor in early 20th century America. The exhibition pairs Hine's haunting images of children working in mills and factories with contemporary photos of the same sites by Jason Francisco, highlighting the passage of time and transformation of these spaces. Curated by Alexander Nemerov, the exhibit explores Hine's work not only as historical documents but as evocative art capturing fleeting moments and the human soul. A companion book from Princeton University Press accompanies the exhibition. Read Article

The exhibition "A Long Arc: Photography and the American South since 1845," held at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, presents over 200 photographs spanning more than 175 years. It explores the complex and evolving identity of the American South through documentary and artistic photography, highlighting themes such as race, culture, history, and social justice. The show addresses periods from the Antebellum South and Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement and contemporary issues, illustrating both the region's beauty and its troubled legacy of violence and inequality. It features works by notable photographers including Lewis Hine, Dorothea Lange, and Walker Evans. Read Article

Alexander Nemerov, an art history scholar, discusses Lewis Hine's photography, which documented child labor in the late 19th century and influenced child labor law reforms. Nemerov’s recent exhibition at the Cantor Arts Center and his book, Soulmaker: The Life and Times of Lewis Hine, offer a contemporary perspective on Hine’s emotionally powerful images. Nemerov also collaborated with photographer Jason Francisco to photograph sites featured in Hine’s work as they appear today, highlighting themes of memory and loss. The interview explores Hine’s artistic significance beyond his role as a documentarian. Read Article

The Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University presents "Soulmaker: The Times of Lewis Hine," an exhibition exploring the poignant and artistic photography of Lewis Hine, who documented child labor in early 20th century America. Alongside Hine’s haunting images of children in factories and mills, contemporary photos by Jason Francisco show these same sites today, highlighting changes over time. Curated by Alexander Nemerov, the exhibition emphasizes the emotional depth and historical significance of Hine’s work, which helped prompt reforms in child labor laws. Read Article