Toastkitten

It's hard to write something insightful and fresh about someone who was such a pioneer. Gordon Parks was one of the first photographers I learned about when I was a kid. I will never forget how amazed I was when I discovered that he had been an FSA photographer, a wonderful fashion photographer AND the director of the movie "Shaft"! How could one person have created so many amazing images in such disparate areas?! As I learned more about his work, Parks did something really crazy; he kept on growing and experimenting and creating. Eventually when someone told me that he was creating a ballet and writting a book on W.J.M.Turner, I pretty much had to stop learning about him - my ego couldn’t take it :)

I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Parks in 2003 at the opening of a group show I co-curated called Saturday Night/Sunday Morning. It was a crazy night, toooo many people in an upstairs gallery with poor ventilation - but when Parks arrived, the scene just exploded. People were so excited to see him. The photographers were so honored that he had come to their show. Parks was amazing. When he first walked trough the gallery people literally parted the way for him. He was so gracious and seemed truly appreciative of the attention of so many young photographers. He was a perfect gentleman - dapper and charming (not a letch or conceited as I had feared). By the end of the evening I had a total crush on him. It was all I could do to keep my voice steady when I thanked him and said good-bye after that marathon 4-hour reception.

Gordon Parks was an amazing person. Incredibly talented and endlessly curious. He will be missed.