American Faces: Portraits by Mike Disfarmer

American Faces: Portraits by Mike Disfarmer looks at historic family images from rural Heber Springs, Arkansas. These images of farmers, families, soldiers and sailors were originally made as personal keepsakes from the early 1930s to the mid 1950s. Decades later they were recognized as exemplary art objects and have now been collected and shown in museums and private galleries world wide. Our show seeks to compare and contrast the transformation of these photos throughout time. Although they remain grounded in a classical aesthetic, Disfarmer’s work continues to captivate audiences with their intensity and modern relevance. In addition to the exhibition, a documentary film about the life of Mike Disfarmer and the art objects/photos he took will be screened at University Galleries in Uptown Normal on November 5 at 4pm with a panel discussion to follow.