Curator's Talk: Portrait of a City

In this insightful talk, exhibition curator Alexander Moore shares the ideas and perspectives that shaped the exhibition. He will explore the photographers involved, the key themes, and the powerful narratives that trace over a century of urban life in America. Learn how photography emerged as an essential medium for capturing identity, community, and social change through time.

From the rapid growth of industry in the early 1900s to pivotal periods of protest and cultural shift, the talk highlights how photographers documented the character of evolving cities and the individuals who gave them meaning.

About the Exhibition

Portrait of a City: A Century of American Photography brings together the work of 34 leading photographers, offering a rich exploration of urban life across the United States.

Focusing on cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco, the exhibition presents these urban spaces as dynamic environments shaped by constant change. Through striking portraits and candid street photography, it captures the intersection of personal experience and broader historical movements, exploring themes of migration, work, activism, and identity.