Harry Callahan (1912–1999) is regarded as one of the most influential figures in post-war photography, yet his work is little known in the UK.
“Callahan disregarded the limits of conventional landscapes to give equal focus to both broad perspectives and individual details. His work is grouped into three themes which he described in 1975 as ‘Nature, Buildings and People’. Linking all three is his wife, Eleanor, whom he met in 1933 and who became his most photographed subject. She appears indoors, within the city landscape, as a lone figure on a beach and emerging from the water.
Born in 1912, Callahan worked as a clerk for Chrysler before attending a workshop by Ansel Adams in 1941 which encouraged him to pursue photography. Although he lacked formal training, his work demonstrates a sustained interest in line and composition which figures strongly in his studies of nature as well as his cityscapes.”
A large display of his work is on show at Tate Modern until 31st May 2014.
Via: Tate Modern
