The launch of Aperture magazine's latest issue, "Vision & Justice," received glowing coverage by TIME magazine's Lightbox – among other prominent publications. The issue is Aperture's first devoted entirely to photography and the black experience. In the coverage, chair Deb Willis' words on the importance of black self-representation are highlighted.
"A fundamental component has long been overlooked by the art and media world: black photography by black photographers," notes journalist Lucia De Stefani in TIME magazine's photo blog Lightbox. The article focuses on the historic launch of Aperture magazine's first issue dedicated entirely to photography and the black experience, "Vision & Justice." Among the influential artists and scholars in the field celebrated in the May 11, 2016 article, Photography and Imaging Department chair Deb Willis and her remarks at the issue launch party received special attention:
"...'A broader representation of black life' is the plurality that renowned author, photographer, and historian Deborah Willis sees photographers pursuing.
One of the great difficulties is learning how to disrupt a single narrative and understanding that there are multiple narratives in black life, Willis adds, praising the renewed sense of self-empowerment that drives photographers to follow their passion. '[T]hey are focusing on the joy that is in their communities. They are focusing on the injustices that are part of their communities,' but they are also discovering new selves, she adds. 'Photographers are doing a lot of self-portraits and […] also looking in the mirror and performing different identities that they like to see about themselves,' Willis says."
Other luminaries of the field such as alum Hank Willis Thomas ('98), artist Carrie Mae Weems, and photographer Jamel Shabazz were highlighted as well.
Click here to read the full article.
Interview magazine and The New York Times Lens Blog also featured coverage of the historic launch.
"Vision & Justice" will be published on May 24. Use #VisionJustice on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the worldwide conversation on representation and the black experience.
