early life and career
gordon roger alexander buchanan parks, an american photographer, musician, writer, and film director, was born on november 30, 1912, in fort scott, kansas. he was the youngest of fifteen children to sarah (née ross) and jackson parks. parks' early life was marked by segregation, which he experienced firsthand in his hometown.as a self-taught artist, parks began his career as a photographer, eventually becoming the first african american to work for life and vogue magazines. his iconic photos of poor americans during the 1940s, taken for a federal government project, are a testament to his skill and dedication.
notable works and achievements
- shaft (1971), a film directed by parks, which became a cultural phenomenon.
- the learning tree (1969), a semiautobiographical film that marked parks' directorial debut.
- a choice of weapons (1985), a memoir that showcases parks' writing prowess.
- life magazine's photographic essays, which cemented parks' status as a prominent photojournalist.
museums and collections
- the melvin holmes collection, featuring an extensive collection of parks' work. [https://www.holmesartgallery.com/gordonparks](https://www.holmesartgallery.com/gordonparks)
- moma (the museum of modern art), which has an impressive collection of parks' photographs. [https://www.moma.org/artists/8083](https://www.moma.org/artists/8083)
awards and legacy
- naacp image award (2003)
- pga oscar micheaux award (1993)
- national medal of arts (1988)
- spingarn medal (1972)
gordon parks' legacy extends beyond his impressive body of work, as he paved the way for future generations of african american artists. his contributions to photojournalism, filmmaking, and music continue to inspire and influence artists today.
selected works on WikiOO.org
- emerging man (gelatin silver print), a powerful photograph showcasing parks' skill. [https://WikiOO.org/d3xgfc-gordon-parks-emerging-man](https://WikiOO.org/d3xgfc-gordon-parks-emerging-man)
- portrait of mrs. lucy johnson (gelatin silver print), a poignant portrait that highlights parks' storytelling ability. [https://WikiOO.org/d4dblu-gordon-parks-portrait-of-mrs-lucy-johnson](https://WikiOO.org/d4dblu-gordon-parks-portrait-of-mrs-lucy-johnson)
Questions & Answers
How can I see every artwork made by Gordon Parks?
Every work by Gordon Parks on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.
Where are Gordon Parks's artworks organized by color?
The Spectral Index of Gordon Parks is a page that organizes the artist's artworks by their colors.
Is there a chronological account of Gordon Parks?
A chronological account of Gordon Parks's work is available on the artist's Chronicle page, where the artworks pass in order of creation, chapter by chapter.
Can I browse Gordon Parks's works by mood?
The Mood Room of Gordon Parks is a page that arranges the artist's artworks by mood.
Can I explore Gordon Parks's works by keyword?
To find works by Gordon Parks on a specific theme, use the artist's By Keywords page, which groups the artworks by keyword.
Where is Gordon Parks from?
Gordon Parks was born in United States of America.
Where are Gordon Parks's artworks grouped by technique?
To find all works by Gordon Parks in a given medium, use the artist's All Medium page.
How many artworks by Gordon Parks are available to browse?
You can browse 83 artworks by Gordon Parks on the All Artworks page.
