Insight Sunday With Ralph Gibson

Ralph Gibson, acclaimed photographer, joins The Church as November’s Insight Sunday speaker. Freshly returned from overseas and amid a successful exhibition at Parrish Art Museum entitled “Nature: Object,” on Sunday, November 17, at noon, Gibson presents The Church’s audience with an exclusive look into his developing project “Italia.” The forthcoming photography book will be published in 2025 as part of the 100th year anniversary celebration of Leica camera.

Join The Church as it explores the driving forces behind Gibson’s current work, glean insight from his experiences, and see the behind-the-scenes work that goes into the publication of a photography book. After the discussion, there will be a Q&A with the artist.

An integral part of a photographer’s work, art books add another layer and dimension to the composition of a work as a whole. Gibson’s preeminent knowledge and insight into this process is an invaluable asset to those interested in the craft. All aspiring photographers and the abstract curious are invited to attend the talk and learn from the master at the next Insight Sunday.

Ralph Gibson’s photographs are in many important museum collections and have been shown in hundreds of exhibitions across the globe. His awards include a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship, Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres, Lucie Lifetime Award and the Leica Hall of Fame, among many others. He holds honorary doctorates from the University of Maryland and Ohio Wesleyan University.

He is the recipient of the Centenary Medal and a fellow of the Royal Photographic Society of the U.K. In 2018 he was appointed Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur de France.

Born on January 16, 1939, in Hollywood, California, Gibson is renowned for his surrealistic black-and-white images. The son of the Hollywood film industry (his father was an assistant director to Alfred Hitchcock), Gibson’s early exposure to film sets ignited his passion for photography. He studied photography during his tenure in the U.S. Navy and furthered his studies at the San Francisco Art Institute. Gibson’s professional journey began as an assistant to iconic photographer Dorothea Lange in San Francisco, and later, he assisted on several of Robert Frank’s films.

His distinctive style, characterized by high-contrast abstract compositions, often transforms everyday objects into evocative narratives. Gibson’s love for books and book-making is evident, with over 40 monographs published to date, including seminal works like “The Somnambulist” (1970) through his own Lustrum Press. His photographs are celebrated in over 200 museum collections globally, with over 250 solo exhibitions.

A multifaceted artist, Gibson has lectured in over 20 countries, received fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation and the U.S. NEA, and been honored with awards such as the Leica Medal of Excellence, the Lucie Award, and the Silver Plume. France has recognized his contributions by bestowing upon him the rank of Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in 2000, and in 2018, he was made a Knight of the Legion of Honor. In 2019, he was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame. In 2021, he was inducted into the Leica Hall of Fame. In 2023, he received the Centenary Gold Medal from the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain and was made an Honorary Fellow of the society.

Gibson collaborated with Lou Reed on the film “Red Shirley” and endorsed a limited Leica Monochrom camera edition. He has also explored the fusion of his photographs and music into film and live performances, showcasing his artistic versatility. Ralph Gibson’s profound impact on photography remains unparalleled, solidifying his legacy in the annals of art history.

Tickets are $10 (members free with RSVP required) at thechurchsagharbor.org. The Church is at 48 Madison Street in Sag Harbor.