Consuelo Kanaga: Catch the Spirit is currently on display at the Brooklyn Museum, shining a light on the remarkable work of a photographer who has been largely forgotten by history. Kanaga, one of the first female photojournalists in the United States, was a key figure in major photographic groups such as f/64 and the New York Photo League. The exhibition showcases her diverse body of work, ranging from socially engaged photojournalism to artistic portraiture and modernist abstraction, with a touch of spirit photography thrown in.
What sets Kanaga apart is her meticulous composition in every photograph. Her subjects are carefully arranged, creating a perfect geometry that draws the viewer in. Whether capturing intimate portraits or architectural scenes, Kanaga’s attention to detail is evident. One striking example is “She is a Tree of Life” from 1950 and “Clapboard Schoolhouse” from the 1930s, where her precision and human connection are palpable.
The exhibition, curated by Pauline Vermare and Imani Williford, delves deep into Kanaga’s life and work, placing her in the context of her artistic community. By showcasing the same camera and film she used, the exhibition highlights the technical aspects of photography that are often overlooked in today’s digital world. The design of the exhibition itself is a work of art, with striking wall colors and multiple prints of the same photograph displayed side by side to demonstrate Kanaga’s experimentation with framing and exposure.
In a refreshing move, the exhibition breaks down the barriers between commercial, documentary, and fine art photography, showing the interconnectedness of these modes through Kanaga’s work. The show not only celebrates her contributions to photography but also reclaims her place in the history of the medium.
Consuelo Kanaga: Catch the Spirit is a must-see exhibition that runs at the Brooklyn Museum until August 3. Organized in collaboration with Fundación MAPFRE and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, this exhibition is a tribute to a pioneering photographer whose legacy deserves to be remembered.
