American Soldier Opens at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Kansas City, MO. Jan. 13, 2015

Photography Exhibition Explores Emotional, Psychological Impact of War

Judith Joy Ross, American (b. 1946). P.F.C. Maria I. Leon, U.S. Army Reserve, On Red Alert, Gulf War, 1990. Gelatin silver print (printed 2006), 9 11/16 x 7 11/16 inches. Gift of the Hall Family Foundation, 2012.28.5.

Past and present connect in a selection of photographs of American servicemen and women dating from the Civil War to recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. American Soldier opens at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City on Jan. 23 and represents men and women from the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force. The exhibition runs through June 21.

“These powerful photographs convey emotion and information simultaneously,” said Julián Zugazagoitia, Menefee D. and Mary Louise Blackwell CEO & Director of the Nelson-Atkins. “The body language and facial expressions of these subjects suggest raw emotions, bringing civilians closer to understanding the indescribable experience of war.”

The 50 photographs in American Soldier were made for different purposes, taken by photojournalists, official military photographers, artists and documentary photographers.

“In looking at work online, in galleries, and as part of other museum exhibitions, I noticed that several contemporary photographers are making poignant and somewhat unusual portraits of American servicemen and women,” said April M. Watson, curator of the exhibition. “These photographs are complex in their portrayals: the subjects suggest vulnerability, fear and loss as well as heroism and strength. Since we have in our permanent collection many iconic images—from the Civil War, World War II, and the Korean War—I thought a show that included these historical photographs, as well as contemporary works, might create a fresh, interesting dialogue about the way photographs over time have shaped our perceptions of military personnel and the cultural values they are seen to embody.”

Larry Burrows, English (1926–1971). The mission over, Farley gives way, from Yankee Papa 13, 1965. Gelatin silver print, 10 15/16 x 8 1/8 inches. Gift of the Hall Family Foundation, 2014.31.7

Although from different time periods, and used in various contexts, these images, seen collectively, resonate as valuable reminders that certain aspects of the human experience of war are ongoing.

This exhibition coincides with the city-wide commemoration of the 100th anniversary of WWI.

This exhibition is supported by the Hall Family Foundation and the Campbell-Calvin Fund & Elizabeth C. Bonner Charitable Trust.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

The Nelson-Atkins in Kansas City is recognized nationally and internationally as one of America’s finest art museums. The Nelson-Atkins serves the community by providing access and insight into its renowned collection of more than 33,500 art objects and is best known for its Asian art, European and American paintings, photography, modern sculpture, and new American Indian and Egyptian galleries. Housing a major art research library and the Ford Learning Center, the Museum

is a key educational resource for the region. The institution-wide transformation of the Nelson-Atkins has included the 165,000-square-foot Bloch Building expansion and renovation of the original 1933 Nelson-Atkins Building.

The Nelson-Atkins is located at 45th and Oak Streets, Kansas City, MO. Hours are Wednesday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursday/Friday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Admission to the museum is free to everyone. For museum information, phone 816.751.1ART (1278) or visit nelson-atkins.org/.