Collection Photography

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A black and white photo of a woman staring above the camera. She has a prominent pearl necklace on over a black top and pearl earrings. She's wearing a plain black hat. Her gaze is one of power and determination.
Brian Lanker | Leontyne Price | Gelatin silver print | 2015:18.44

Since its founding in 1933, photography has been a crucial part of the JSMA’s permanent collection. Spanning from the 19th to the 21st centuries, with over 2,400 images, it features significant works that encompasses a breadth of styles, techniques, and traditional themes such as portraiture, landscape, documentary, and experimental photography amongst others.

Our collection highlights the strengths of regional artists, engaged dynamic emerging artists and holds significant works by established, nationally and internationally recognized photographers. As we continue to expand and grow our holdings, it increasingly represents a broader global reach. As a teaching resource for the University community and beyond, it also reflects a deep engagement for the medium’s role in dialog with wider visual culture and its impact on examining changing societal narratives and perspectives.

Collection Highlights

A close-up photograph of a hand against a bright red background, holding a small black-and-white portrait of a man in military attire. The composition emphasizes the contrast between the hand's texture and the flat, smooth red surface.
SHENG Qi 盛奇 | My Left Hand - Red Army Mao (我的左手 - 毛主席 Wo de zuoshou - Mao zhuxí) | Color photograph | 2018:28.12
A black-and-white photograph of sand dunes with smooth, flowing contours, casting deep shadows and highlights that create a striking contrast between light and dark areas. The textures of the sand and the play of light evoke a serene yet dramatic landscape.
Edward Weston | Dunes, Oceano | gelatin silver print| 2006:6.1
A minimalist, soft-focus photograph of a distant island shrouded in thick fog, almost blending with the horizon. The image has a dreamlike quality with muted tones, making the island appear as a faint silhouette against the misty surroundings.
Dan Powell | Adriatic Sea, Near Vis, Croatia | Gelatin silver print | 2007:3.1
A vibrant color photograph of a woman dressed in traditional Indigenous attire, seated in an elaborately decorated indoor setting. She is surrounded by various objects including red branches, pine cones, and an owl figurine, with a painted backdrop depicting a wintery scene.
Wendy Red Star | The Four Seasons (Winter) |
A color photograph of a man standing shirtless against a white background, with a large red circle and slash painted across his chest and neck, resembling the international "No" symbol. The image is a powerful and direct visual statement.
QIU Zhijie 邱志杰 | Tattoo Series (纹身系列 Wenshen xilie) 2 | Color photograph | 2018:28.5b
A black-and-white photograph of a woman leaning against a marble railing inside a grand, dimly lit building. She gazes off to the side, her posture relaxed, while another figure stands in the background, partially obscured by shadow.
Carrie Mae Weems | In the Halls of Justice, from the series Dreaming in Cuba | Inkjet print | 2020:22.1
A black-and-white portrait of an elderly man with a full white beard, wearing a cap and draped in worn, textured clothing. He holds a walking stick, and his face is expressive, with deep lines and a warm, gentle gaze.
Lonnie Graham | The Hunter, Dogon, Bandiagara, Mali | gelatin silver print | 2022:22.2
A black-and-white photograph of a bodybuilder posing on stage, flexing his muscles under a bright overhead light. The scene is captured from the front, with the audience and trophies visible in the background, highlighting the competitive atmosphere.
Diane Arbus | Muscle man contestant, N.Y.C. | gelatin silver print | 2023:34.1 | Gift of Fraenkel Gallery, San Francisco
A black-and-white photograph of a massive tree stump, the roots and base heavily twisted and gnarled. The stump dominates the image, resembling a natural sculpture, with the surrounding landscape showing signs of recent deforestation.
Robert Adams | A second growth stump on top of a first growth stump, Coos County, Oregon | gelatin silver print | 2022:35.1
A black-and-white aerial photograph of a vast, desolate landscape with patches of white salt flats scattered across a dark, barren terrain. The horizon stretches endlessly under a cloud-filled sky, creating a sense of isolation and expanse.
Terry Toedtemeier | Dry Lakes near Poverty Basin, Lake Co., Oregon | gelatin silver print | 2022:26.9