The first time I saw Dorothea Lange's work in person was at an exhibition at the New York City Public Library. I immediately fell in love with the honesty seeping through Dorothea's lens and reaching right into my heart, unfolding strong emotions, opening a dialogue with someone who suddenly felt like an old friend.
Dorothea Lange was not afraid of people. She loved people, immersing herself into their reality with ease, capturing raw truth, and suffering in situations that seem impossible to bear. How was she able to achieve these images that speak of acceptance of her presence, a complete stranger, yet the reality of the subjects remains uninhibited, unaltered?
Dorothea was not a stranger to pain and suffering. Since childhood, she learned to cope with a semi-paralyzed leg and a limp due to polio, and the abandonment of her father. Later in life, cancer did not stop her; she continued her travels and photo documentary work. Even near the end of her life, she gathered the last of her energy to bring to life her retrospective work and legacy. Dorothea's life and the life of those she immortalized through her portraits, reminds us today that despite the impossible difficulties we may be facing, we can choose to keep going, and as she did, make peace and conquer our own challenges.
"[Polio] formed me, instructed me, humiliated me"
Young Dorothea felt the pull in the streets of New York to merge with people and activities. At that time she did not have a camera. Life circumstances led her to San Francisco where she was very successful as an elite portrait photographer. The combination of a drifting-away husband and the slam of the Great Depression affecting her business, made her re-evaluate her purpose. It was then when she connected back to her passion of being among street people, documenting life and diversity. People in poverty, migrant workers, the racially oppressed, the hungry, the abused, the unemployed.
The portrait above is of Florence Thompson who became an icon image of the Great Depression. Reflecting on her work, Dorothea found these words coming to mind, describing what she has been witnessing:
"The deprived and the dislocated.
And then the word came to me:
Rootless."
Dorothea teaches us to be true to ourselves and our passion no matter the difficulties. She knew she wanted to make money but did not know how this would work out. At that time it seemed what she liked to do was not going to be a source of income. However, once she took the step, it unraveled into her new sustainable life. Her work began as a documentary photographer and photojournalist for the FSA, Farm Security Administration during the Depression-era. Thanks to Dorothea we are able to look into the past, find a connection, and look at the present through a wider perspective.
View with me this current exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, MoMA, NYC. Dorothea Lange: Words and Pictures on view until September 19, 2020.
Learn more about Dorothea Lange 1895-1965.
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