How early Black Chicagoans used photography to redefine their image

At the turn of the 20th century, Black photographers were starting to make
a name for themselves. Photographers like William E. Woodard, James Van Der Zee and
Miles Webb were opening and running their own studios.

In African American art history, the Harlem Renaissance in New York is often
celebrated. But Chicago played a role in that as well. Photographs of Black life
circulated in local and international publications at the time, and the
photographers behind those images focused on the community, intentionally.

“The photographers know of each other and are in some ways competing, yet they're
also really supportive of each other's work,” said Amy Mooney, art history professor
at Columbia College Chicago.

In our last episode, we explored the first art galleries in Chicago. Many of those
“established” spaces were owned by white people who exhibited works by white
artists. But that didn’t mean skilled and prolific artists of color were scarce.
Today, Mooney tells us more about the early Black photographers who opened up their
studios to everyone.