March 21-June 30, 2006
Lecture by Vicki Goldberg: Thursday, April 6, 5:30-7pm
followed by book signing and gallery reception

In making these portraits of soldiers, I wanted to look in the face of someone who'd seen something unforgettable. —Suzanne Opton

The history of human warfare is as old as the history of human existence. It is difficult not to think about war when newspaper headlines and television reports serve as constant reminders of the military conflicts taking place around the world. Yet when Suzanne Opton became curious about soldiers, it was not war she was interested in. Instead she wanted to find out about the people who chose to serve their country. Opton approached a highly politicized topic with nonjudgmental openness. It is up to the viewer to interpret these large-format photographs. The images are bold and haunting, yet they never lose sight of the humanity of these American soldiers, who have each served at least one tour of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The photographs range from traditional to unconventional portraits; and they were taken in black- and-white and in color. This intuitive approach provides a glimpse at the artist's playful curiosity that masterfully combines complexity and repetition. The final result encourages the viewer to take a second or maybe even a third look at these enlisted men and women. Intimately close, these soldiers are no longer anonymous figures in uniforms, but once again become our sons or daughters, our brothers or sisters, our spouses, our best friends.

Hannah Frieser
Associate Director

More about the exhibition