Haw Contemporary is proud to present Now & Then, an exhibition opening November 22, showcasing two distinct bodies of work by celebrated photographer Julie Blackmon accompanied by the poetry of Jim Howard.

In the front gallery, visitors will encounter Blackmon’s work from the early 2000s, all in black and white and presented in a square format. Stylistic and thematic elements inspired by her early influences, such as Sally Mann and Emmet Gowin, are evident in these images. Yet, even at this early stage, viewers can see that Blackmon has already started to develop her own distinctive voice, hinting at themes that would later define her work. 

The second body of work, displayed in the large gallery, features Blackmon’s most recent photographs, many of which are paired with oversized wall vinyl featuring Howard’s poems, inspired by the works. The recent work unfolds with a broader, more expansive narrative. While children remain central subjects, the scale and complexity of her compositions have grown, reflecting a deepening of her artistic voice and a more intricate exploration of her world, which now extends to subtle social and political commentary. 

In the upstairs galleries, viewers will find rare and classic works from the intervening years, several of which have been unavailable on the primary market for years. The large upstairs gallery also features wall-size projections of approximately 20 of Howard’s poems, inspired by Blackmon’s work and accompanied by her images. This pairing will ultimately culminate in a book, scheduled for publication in 2025.