Ming Smith's journey into the world of photography began in the vibrant tapestry of her childhood, where she embraced the lens as a profound spiritual practice. Born in Detroit and now a proud resident of Harlem, Smith’s work captures a lifelong odyssey through movement, light, rhythm, and shadow, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.
After graduating from Howard University in the early 1970s, Smith found her artistic home in Harlem, a rich enclave of Black artists, musicians, and performers. As a trailblazer, she was the first woman to join the Kamoinge Workshop, a groundbreaking collective of Black photographers chronicling the Black experience. In 1979, she made history again as the first Black woman photographer to have her work acquired by The Museum of Modern Art. Smith’s poetic black-and-white street photography and striking portraits of influential Black cultural icons showcase her meticulous craftsmanship, employing an array of techniques such as extended shutter speeds, multiple exposures, collage, and hand-painting. Each image resonates with complexity and beauty, offering a stunning portrayal of Black life.
Smith's love affair with light is palpable; she captures what ignites our senses and elevates our spirits. The shadows she weaves into her narratives invite deeper contemplation, beckoning viewers to explore the stories hidden beneath the surface. Her work creates a captivating dialogue, where we are drawn to the brilliance she highlights while yearning to uncover the mysteries she conceals. This delicate balance keeps our eyes returning, simultaneously mesmerized by the vibrancy and intrigued by the depths. Her photography dances with the rhythm of music, echoing the improvisational spirit of jazz.
In the lens of Ming Smith, the mundane transcends into magic. She discovers beauty in everyday moments and the enigmatic lives that slip by unnoticed. Each image possesses an undeniable aura, capturing breaths suspended in time. Her experimental techniques breathe life into her work, with rough edges, blurred lines, and intuitive strokes of paint merging to create a dreamscape of reality. Whether capturing a penetrating gaze, the gentle curves of skin and fabric, or the dappled light filtering through trees, her images resonate with intimacy and yearning. Smith seeks to reveal more than what first meets the eye—she searches for family, resilience, joy, and the essence of life itself. Stepping into her world is an invitation to explore with open hearts.
Ming Smith's artistry has garnered widespread recognition through high-profile exhibitions, including MoMA’s landmark 2010 showcase, "Pictures by Women: A History of Modern Photography." Her pivotal contributions have also been featured in major group exhibitions such as "We Wanted A Revolution: Black Radical Women, 1965-85" at Brooklyn Museum (2017) and "Soul of a Nation" at Tate Modern (2017), which toured various prestigious venues. In 2023, MoMA honored her with "Projects: Ming Smith," a retrospective journey through her artistic evolution since the 1970s. Smith's work has been celebrated in numerous important collections, including MoMA, the Whitney Museum of Art, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Her achievements culminated in 2023 with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Center of Photography and the Lucie Award for Achievement in Portraiture.
This fall, Ming Smith invites you to immerse yourself in her artistic vision through a series of solo exhibitions in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Experience the profound beauty of her work at "Ming Smith: Jazz Requiem – Notations in Blue" at The Gund at Kenyon College, "Ming Smith: Transcendence" and "Ming Smith: August Moon" at the Columbus Museum of Art, and "Ming Smith: Wind Chime" at the Wexner Museum of Art in 2024. Join her in celebrating the art of seeing, where every image tells a story, and every moment becomes a cherished memory.