Reflections: Photographs of Iconic African Americans by Terrence A. Reese (TAR)

In his series Reflections, Terrence A. Reese, also known as TAR, depicts pioneers from a variety of fields who have shaped American culture and history. Featuring a wide range of African American politicians, artists, educators, and musicians—many with overlapping roles as activists who have fought against racial, social, and economic inequality—Reflections depicts a more personal view of these public figures. Reese carefully frames and composes each portrait, depicting his subjects as reflections in mirrors within their homes, offices, and studios. His resulting photographs are layered and complex, revealing the photographic process as a collaborative, focused encounter between artist and subject. Accompanying each photograph is a text by Reese that describes both the contributions of the sitters, including the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Gordon Parks, Lois Mailou Jones, B.B. King, and Eleanor Holmes Norton, and his own anecdotal reflections about making the photograph. Intimate and expansive, Reese’s sixty black and white photographs made throughout the past two decades serve to memorialize and document his iconic sitters.

All works in this exhibition are gelatin silver prints, courtesy of the artist.

Organized by Kaitlin Booher, Graduate Fellow, Department of Art History, Rutgers University, with the assistance of Donna Gustafson, Curator of American Art and Mellon Director of Academic Programs 

The exhibition’s presentation at the Zimmerli is made possible by the donors to the Zimmerli’s Major Exhibition Fund: James and Kathrin Bergin, Alvin and Joyce Glasgold, Charles and Caryl Sills, Voorhees Family Endowment, and the Jerome A. Yavitz Charitable Foundation, Inc –Stephen Cypen, President.