The Power of Photography
Hats, Father’s Day Picnic, Seattle, WA, 1951 © 2021 William Heick – courtesy of Peter Fetterman Gallery
During the long lockdown months of 2020, more than 60% of us embarked on new creative pursuits, channeling the restrictions we faced into something positive. One such project was California-based gallerist Peter Fetterman, who used the time to delve into his collection and share some of his most cherished images online. With a background in filmmaking, Fetterman is drawn to humanist photography and since opening his gallery in 1994 has created one of the most significant collections of 20th century in America.
Head Waiter Renee Breguet Serving Drinks on Grand Hotel Ice Rink, St. Moritz, 1932 © Alfred Eisenstaedt – courtesy of Peter Fetterman Gallery
Releasing one photograph alongside an insight or memory every day, his project – through his own inimitable style – soon garnered worldwide attention. With images by the true greats of photography, his daily postings resonated, providing those who followed the project an opportunity to discover, engage and foster a rich experience with works by the likes of Sarah Moon, Sebastio Salgado and Eve Arnold – to name just a few.
‘March on Washington’ – Martin Luther King Jr. after delivering his, ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C., August 28, 1963 © Dan Budnik – courtesy of Peter Fetterman Gallery
The leading gallerist has now compiled his entries into a sumptuous new book. A worthy tribute to the medium, The Power of Photography includes an eclectic collection of 120 images. From the haunting humanity of Ansel Adams’s family portraits to Miho Kajioka’s interpretation of traditional Japanese aesthetics, Fetterman gathers some of the most unique and heartening photographs from the 20th century showcasing them in all their glory. At the heart of the book lies a hopeful message about the photographic medium’s ability to transcend boundaries and endure. Poignant and poetic, this is a fascinating, inspiring and beautiful book to treasure.
The Power of Photography
Peter Fetterman
ACC Art Books
£30
230 mm x 200 mm, 256 pages (31 colour, 89 black & white), hardback
978-17888-41221