William Christenberry RIP

William Christenberry

Alabama artist, photographer, historian, William Christenberry passed recently. A unique voice in the Deep South from the early 1960s till the end of his life. Sharply critical of racists around him, especially the KKK, his art and photography were the weapon of choice. A deep appreciation of the rich ordinariness of his Southern surroundings, like his contemporary, William Eggleston, make a gallery viewing of large Christenberry prints an enveloping experience. I saw a great show at the Ogden Museum in New Orleans.

Here’s a Terry Gross interview from 1997.

http://www.npr.org/2016/12/02/504129674/fresh-air-remembers-artist-william-christenberry-chronicler-of-the-rural-south

©William Cristenberry