Haw Contemporary is proud to present Now & Then, an exhibition opening November 22, showcasing two distinct bodies of work by celebrated photographer Julie Blackmon—her earliest and most recent photographs. Remarkably, neither series has been publicly shown before, offering a rare glimpse into the evolution of Blackmon’s vision.
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 Emmett Gowin, are evident in these images. Yet, even at this early stage, Blackmon begins to develop her own distinctive, honest aesthetic. These early works capture a sense of intimacy and familial observation, 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. These pieces, now in color, unfold 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 works from the intervening years, including several classic Blackmon photographs that have been unavailable on the primary market for years. The large upstairs gallery also features 20-foot-wide projections of poetry by Jim Howard, inspired by Blackmon’s work and accompanied by her images.
Now & Then invites viewers to trace the artistic threads connecting Blackmon’s early explorations with her latest work—revealing how her aesthetic has evolved while maintaining the unmistakable balance of humor, tenderness, and critique for which she is known.