The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) has unveiled two major photography exhibitions, showcasing its dedication to this ever-evolving art form. The first exhibition, The Long Arc: Photography and the American South since 1845, marks the first major Southern photography show in over 25 years, while the second, American Born, Hungary: The Hungarian American Photographic Legacy, invites viewers on a compelling journey across time and place, providing a deeper dive into an overlooked chapter in photographic history.
The Long Arc: Photography and the American South since 1845
Curated by Dr. Sarah Kennel, VMFA’s Aaron Siskind Curator of Photography and Director of the Raysor Center, and Gregory J. Harris, The Donald and Marilyn Keough Family Curator of Photography at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, this groundbreaking exhibition has been in the works for five years. It repositions the South as a critical player in the history of photography. The curators aim to move beyond the margins and place the region at the heart of the photographic narrative, making this especially significant for a Virginia audience. The exhibition voices the South’s dynamic history and evolving identity with themes like identity, place and land, labor, and resistance.
As the title suggests, The Long Arc reframes how we perceive the South, humanizing the region and portraying it as vibrant and ever-changing. It offers a space for confronting its complex history while celebrating its strengths. For attendees, this is more than an exhibition—it’s a journey through the past and present, with imagery that challenges assumptions and opens up new perspectives on a region often reduced to stereotypes.
American Born, Hungary: The Hungarian American Photographic Legacy
Curated by Alex Nyerges, VMFA’s Director and CEO, in collaboration with Károly Kincses, founding director of the Hungarian Museum of Photography, this exhibition delves into the photographic contributions of Hungarian Americans. This community’s visual storytelling is deeply tied to themes of perseverance and migration. During the media preview on October 2, 2024, Nyerges shared an anecdote about his father’s immigration to the U.S. with just a Bible, a violin, and two cameras. This personal story adds emotional depth to the exhibition, underscoring the cultural significance of photography in preserving the immigrant experience as well as the triumphs and challenges of building a new life in America.
The works on display transport viewers across both geographical and temporal landscapes, with each photograph capturing the perseverance and creativity of Hungarian photographers who have shaped the field.
VMFA’s Vision
Both exhibitions reflect VMFA’s commitment to growing its photography collection, with plans for expansion in the new McGlothlin Wing II, which promises even more artwork on view. As Dr. Michael R. Taylor, the museum’s chief curator, aptly described, the exhibitions offer a “feast of photography” for experts and beginners alike. These shows are more than a visual treat—they represent a commentary on America itself, excavating the shared experiences that shape its fabric.
Whether you’re a photography lover or a curious beginner, these exhibitions have something for everyone. They feature an incredible range of work that spans generations and explores essential questions about identity, place, and the role of photography in telling America’s stories. These exhibitions serve as a reminder of the power of photography in capturing not only moments in time but also the identity of a nation.
Don’t miss the opportunity to explore these enticing exhibitions on American identity, which are on view until January 26, 2025.
Main image: Marine, Hotel Near Airport, Richmond, Virginia, 2009, Susan Worsham (American, born 1969), pigmented inkjet print, 33 x 41 in. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Aldine S. Hartman Endowment Fund, 2017.117 © Susan Worsham
