The exhibition of works by Mary Ellen Mark (1940, USA) presents a classic documentary photography tradition in which photojournalism and subjective documentary align to and overlap each other. Her best-known series focus on socially vulnerable groups of people.

 In terms of plots and themes, Mark's works hint at the socio-critical perspective of her idol, William Eugene Smith. Formally, the works follow in the footsteps of Henri Cartier-Bresson and the principles of his decisive moment, in which it is easy to spot traces of a traditional art education – Mark studied painting, art history and photojournalism at the University of Pennsylvania.
 Professionally, she has been working as a photographer since the mid-1960s, and has been publishing books since 1974 about cultural differences, the homeless, the ill and other fate-stricken people. Mark has collaborated with New York Times Magazine, Life, Paris-Match, The New Yorker, and Rolling Stone, as well as received prestigious awards.
 At 3pm on May 10, Deborah Bell - US photo historian, evaluator and trader, and former manager of the photography dept. at Christie's - will give a talk on the works at the National Library of Latvia.

10.05. 17:00  Deborah Bell. Lecture on Mary Ellen Mark.
Photo dealer and appraiser, former head of Christie’s photographs department talks about the work of Mary Ellen Mark. 
 

Curated by Mary Ellen Mark, Meredith Lue (USA)
Organized by USA embassy in collaboration with "Riga Photomonth"