The Song Called Hope | Gordon Parks
Gordon Parks, Untitled, Alabama, 1956. Image courtesy and copyright The Gordon Parks Foundation.
Written by Max Wiener
Gordon Parks is, in every single sense of the term, a renaissance man. While his photographs are his most widely recognized medium, his poetry, songs, films, and writing all contributed to his status as one of the most prolific artists of the 20th century. In The Song Called Hope, a title derived from his poem “Come Sing With Me,” Parks’ masterful photography of children is put on a remarkable display, highlighting his true prowess behind the lens. He shows the quintessential elements of American life - the good and the bad - and through his camera the eyes of his subjects speak to us. The series opened on October 26th, letting Parks usher in the cold of winter with his warm portrayals of the youth we all crave.
Gordon Parks, Untitled, Chicago, Illinois, 1953. Image courtesy and copyright The Gordon Parks Foundation.
Through children, our perception of the world inherently becomes more innocent. We crave more, we want more, and we want to live our lives to the fullest possible extent. Capturing such a lovely energy certainly steers the overall narrative of the photography, but Parks captures all that and then adds a hearty dose of nostalgia, creating a heartwarming display of the past that brings us more in touch with our present.
Gordon Parks, Boy with June Bug, Fort Scott, Kansas, 1963. Image courtesy and copyright The Gordon Parks Foundation.
His display of children in touch with nature brings us back to the playgrounds and backyards of our memories, and as you glance at each image you can’t help but notice the engulfing smile that reaches across your face. In Parks’ world, there is no political strife, no world hunger or economical turmoil; there is only optimism. It feels as if there is endless possibility in their eyes, and their smiles reach deep into our soul and pull out our own. Parks’ children represent what we could be, connecting us with our former selves and bringing out the ever-loving child in all of us.
Gordon Parks, Interracial Children's Camps, Camp Buddies, Haverstraw, New York, 1943. Image courtesy and copyright The Gordon Parks Foundation.
The representation of children of color in The Song Called Hope is a deliberate choice, highlighting Parks’ incredible activism against systemic racism in America. In his acclaimed semi-autobiographical novel-turned-movie entitled The Learning Tree, we see just that, navigating the harsh realities of America’s cultural underbelly. While it is hard to address, it cannot be ignored, and Parks’ photography is an important selection in the narrative of black children in America. As you look at the images, you don’t recognize them as black children in America, but rather simply children in America, living the lives that their pure souls so dearly deserve. They represent the good that can exist in this world beneath the thick cloud of angst, and as their eyes lock with ours, we feel them. We hear them. They tell us that the world would be a better place if we just cared for one another and set aside prejudice. This is the true magic of a Gordon Parks piece. This is why he is so important not just in the twentieth century, but in the present day.
