Exhibition and Event

Portraits of Philadelphia: Photographs by Joseph V. Labolito and Jim MacMillan, 1981-2023

On exhibit through March 31, 2024: more info
My photographs from the exhibition: blog
Talk and reception: December 8, 2023: free tickets

My prints in the exhibit space come from my coverage of protests and demonstrations in Philadelphia during the past 32 years. My photographs of the Philadelphia Fire Department at work from 1991 through 2008 will be displayed on a monitor inside the gallery. I will add slide shows from both collections on this site soon. Photograph of me at top, right by Barbara Johnston, 2003.

Update

Sarah Glover, Vice President for News and Civic Dialogue at WHYY, will moderate the panel discussion. She is also a former staff photojournalist at the Philadelphia Daily News and Inquirer.

Partner

I am honored to share this exhibition with Joseph V. Labolito. Visit: labolito.com

About the exhibition

Photograph of Joseph V. Labolito and Jim MacMillan at the exhibition by Sarah Glover.

In this exhibit, we explore the images of two photographers, Joseph V. Labolito and Jim MacMillan, as they traveled around Philadelphia. Both captured unique human experiences, whether it was Labolito documenting neighborhood life or MacMillan following protestors marching through the streets. The contrast of the two photographers’ work as they moved about the city can be clearly seen in their photographs. While Labolito’s photographs in black and white are purposefully framed and occasionally posed, MacMillan’s color photographs were captured quickly and candidly in a way only a news photographer can. Both were trying to capture a fleeting moment in the city.

By creating a mixed gallery of their work, the viewer is surrounded by the city through their eyes. Combining images from these two collections, both recently donated to the Special Collections Research Center, we aim to demonstrate how everyone has a different perspective of the city they live in, and how two completely opposite experiences could happen right around the corner from one another. The viewer moves through the exhibit as an experience, surrounded by images of the city they may or may not remember, as the city is ever evolving.

Exhibit production by Brenda Galloway-Wright and Ann Mosher, Special Collections Research Center

Location

Charles Library at Temple University
1st Floor Exhibit Space
1900 N. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Hours | Map | Parking and Transportation

About me

My usual home page will return after the exhibition concludes next spring but until then I will post any special new photos here: Course of Life