HOMEWARD TO THE PRAIRIE I COME: Gordon Parks Photographs from the Beach Museum of Art
One of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, Gordon Parks (1912-2006) was also renowned as a poet, filmmaker, author, composer, and activist. He is best known for his photojournalism from the 1940s to the 1970s that documented American life and culture, particularly the experiences of African Americans and the Civil Rights Movement. Parks once said, “I saw that the camera could be a weapon against poverty, against racism, against all sorts of social wrongs.” His thought-provoking photos act as powerful visual narratives that challenge the way we see ourselves, each other, and our world.
Parks forged many relationships in his home state of Kansas during his career, and in 1973, he donated over 100 career-spanning photographs to Kansas State University. Highlighting the life and career of Parks, Homeward to the Prairie I Come showcases poetry and prose by the artist alongside images from his gift to KSU that convey a wide range of artistic ideas. The exhibition features more than seventy photographs, including images captured by Parks for photojournalism and fashion assignments at LIFE magazine, striking portraits of prominent figures such as Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali, as well as examples of his experimental photography.
Homeward to the Prairie I Come: Gordon Parks Photographs from the Beach Museum of Art is organized by the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, Kansas State University. Generous support provided by Art Bridges.
Images by Gordon Parks
Learn more about Philbrook Museum!
Philbrook Museum of Art is committed to being Tulsa’s most welcoming and engaging cultural institution, providing a unique trifecta of experiences: a historic home, world class art museum, 25 acres of gardens.
Philbrook Museum of Art opened on October 25, 1939. The addition of a 70,000 square foot wing in 1990 turned the historic home into a modern museum complex. A major garden renovation in 2004 cemented the Museum’s reputation as “the most beautiful place in Oklahoma.”
Through bold action and strategic investment, we create a space for new ideas, diverse stories and perspectives, and social connection. The Philbrook Collection features more than 16,000 objects with a focus on American, Native American, and European art. Serving over 160,000 visitors annually, Philbrook shines a light on Tulsa’s storied and complex past while building a diverse and creative vision of the city’s future.
For more information, visit philbrook.org/.
Learn more about Beach Museum of Art!
The Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art furthers the teaching, research, and service missions of Kansas State University by collecting, studying, caring for, and presenting the visual art of Kansas and the region. The Museum’s exhibitions and programs connect regional art, culture, and interests with the larger world.
For more information, visit beach.k-state.edu/.
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Art Bridges Foundation is the vision of philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton. Founded in 2017, Art Bridges creates and supports projects that share works of American art with communities across the United States and its territories. Art Bridges partners with a growing network of over 300 museums of all sizes—impacting 25 million people nationwide—to provide financial and strategic support for exhibitions, collection loans, and programs designed to educate, inspire, and deepen engagement with local communities. The Art Bridges Collection represents an expanding vision of American art from the 19th century to present day and encompasses multiple media and voices.
For more information, visit artbridgesfoundation.org.