Closer Look | Photographer, Carrie Mae Weems
I am delighted to bring you this edition of Closer Look featuring the incomparable Carrie Mae Weems! I am having so much fun learning about influential African American photographers this month for Black History. I’m especially giddy to spotlight women succeeding in the typically male dominated photography industry.
Meet Carrie Mae Weems:
Carrie Mae Weems was born in Portland, OR to Myrlie and Carrie Weems. She was one of seven children. After completing high school Weems decided to move to San Francisco to study dance and late continued her pursuit of The Arts by studying at the California Institute of the Arts, in Valencia. Interestingly enough, it was politics that first drove her to pick up a camera by being active in the labor movement as a union organizer.
Her inspiration to pursue photography came after reading The Black Photographers Journal. She later became an assistant to Anthony Barboza, an inspiring American photographer in his own rite. Weems collection of work inspires viewers and asks hard questions about gender roles , racism, and class across a wide range of mediums, including not only photography but textile, video and writing. Below are a few images from her well know Kitchen Table Series.
Weems currently resides in Brooklyn, NY. More information on her past and recent work can be found on her website http://carriemaeweems.net/
I hadn’t realized that she incorporates video as well into her installations. Great profile on a talented artist and activist. I’m off to check out her “Not Manet’s Type”.
Yes! I’m intrigue by her use of other mediums in addition to photography. I’m still going through her bio and info on her site, but it empowers ME to know she achieved sucess during a time where the cards were stacked against her not only by race but also sex. So glad someone else is getting something out of these features!
Thank you so much fro sharing her story with the world!
No problem!
Another photog that I knew nothing about. Thanks so much for posting. I’m learning something here.
Janina, neither did I! That’s what has made this series so fascinating for me
This is a beautiful post. I must say I’ve heard of Ms. Weems because she has worked with Deborah Willis, my master’s project subject. I see you’ve profiled Ms. Willis as well. Bravo!
Your masters subject was on Deborah Willis? Wow! This has been so eye opening, because while I love photography as an art I never learned about many of the people that influenced it. I’m so glad this series has been so well recceived!
Whitney, thank you for this series. I feel deprived that there are so many photographers that I don’t know about. Looks like I have a LOT of studying to do.
Raven, I am right there with you. Doing this series has been enlightening for me as well! Its so interesting to learn about our history and how it has helped mold the industry.
very inspirational. now to learn everything i can about Carrie Mae. the last photo really got me.
Isn’t she amazing? I’m so glad to have done this series for all the I (and hopefully others) have learned.