On Thursday Nov. 8, Learning from Gordon Parks was held inside the Mulvane Art Museum to share the work of Gordon Parks, an iconic Black author, photographer and filmmaker. Photographer Ann Dean discussed the impact and inspiration in his books “The Learning Tree,” “A Choice Weapons,” and “Half Past Autumn.”
Stacy Ash, education coordinator of the Mulvane Art Museum, kicked off the event and discussed artists in a school program funded by the Kansas Arts Commission, which brings professional teaching into Topeka public schools which includes art-making workshops and welcomed the professional photographer and educator, Ann Dean.
Dean presented on Parks’ works, including his impact on documenting the African American experiences and journey from poverty to becoming a renowned photographer and filmmaker, and talked about his first film “The Learning Tree.”
Ash discussed the significance of Parks’ life and his role as a self-taught artist who overcame numerous barriers and encouraged young artists to learn about Parks’ life and create their own reality despite their background.
“I think the message from Parks’ work in general is to see good things, not harp on negative, and to have faith in yourself and your vision,” Ash said. “He is a self-taught artist and creates his own reality, regardless of what kind of position he is born into.”
Parks’ iconic reimagining of “American Gothic” faces controversy but has become a significant work. He became the first Black photographer for FSA, Office of War Information and Life Magazine. Parks’ “Half Past Autumn” was a retrospective of his life written in 1997. He was awarded the William Allen White Award for journalism through Kansas University. He died on March 7, 2006, at the age of 93.
Rayan Johanson, one of the audience members, attended the event and expressed positive sentiment about Parks’ multifaceted contribution to art and life.
“I really liked the event and was inspired by Parks’ life and his work that you don’t have to be stuck in one track. [You] can change and follow your own dream,” Johanson said.
Dean discussed the purpose of the event, Parks’ iconic images and the influence his upbringing had, sharing his iconic images of “American Gothic” and “Emerging Man.”
“The main goal of this event is to educate people about the life of Gordon Parks … and to show his life story, his life work and his growth over all of his years of living and also the influence of his mother and father,” Dean said. “Being from the Midwest, the influence of his parents was influential in his life moving forward because it is really important to have a good role model and to be able to keep that.”
At the end of the event, the audience had the opportunity to ask Dean questions, which allowed for a deeper understanding of the topic discussed and provided a chance for participants to engage more directly with the content.
Edited by Lexi Hittle and Stuti Khadka
