Caaapshotspecialeditiongordonpa by CAAAP

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CAAAP Shot

A publication of The Chicago Alliance of African-American Photographers

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Vol. 5. No. 2

Tribute Issue

Gordon Parks

Renaissance Man!

©Milbert O. Brown, Jr.

1912-2006 Photography Legend 1

August 2006

A talk with Renaissance Man Gordon Parks By Myiti Sengstacke Associate Editor, Ndigo--New York Interviewed by Photographer, Robert Sengstacke

New York: Gordon Parks is an icon, a living legend widely known as a photographer with impeccable credentials as a photojournalist taken for Life magazine in the ‘50s. He made his way into the film industry in 1969 out of his own autobiographical work, The Learning Tree, a depiction of his life growing up in Kansas. Not only did he write the movie he directed it making him the first ever-mainstream black director. In 1971 Parks directed the movie Shaft that put him on Hollywood’s director A-list. If that were not enough Parks also has written fiction, poetry and orchestral music as well as paint on canvas. Recently I had the pleasure of meeting this phenomenal Renaissance man who, believe it or not, is still working. His latest project is a book of poetry entitled A Hungry Heart. He will be celebrating his 91st birthday next weekend November 30. My journey to meeting Mr. Parks began at the ceremony for the slave re-internment in New York a couple of months ago. I met one of the founders of Essence magazine Jonathan Sebastian Blount who insisted that my father, Robert Sengstacke and I meet with Mr. Parks. He was pleased to give the Chicago Defender the interview. We met at his beautiful home in midtown Manhattan, over looking the Hudson River. His apartment is full of inspiration; a grand piano, pictures of family and friends, the walls are filled mainly with his work; a beautiful oil painting is there to greet you when you open the door (a present from his good friend Gloria Vanderbilt). Books are stacked everywhere many are his own published works and he has his own recording studio in the apartment. Two greats in my eyes, two men that have the amazing ability to capture real life experiences, both have received national as well as international recognition and acclaim. Both have had their work exhibited at the same galleries. Parks has extensive photographs of Malcolm having spent a tremendous amount of time with him in the 60’s. Sengstacke known for his collection of King photographs. Today Robert Sengstacke and Gordon Parks come together, one prolific artist to another in an intimate look at 91 years.

“I was born dead, my family doctor pronounced me dead…. he had a young assistant by the name of Dr. Gordon that asked if he could try something…he dumped me in the cold water and I began to holler, and I’ve been hollering ever since,” —Gordon Parks 2

Gordon Parks at his Manhattan home during the interview.

ROBERT SENGSTACKE: Let me start off here, you came to Chicago from Kansas, right? GORDON PARKS: No, I went from Kansas to Minnesota and than I went on Washington. I first became interested in photography when I stopped at the theatre to see the bombing of the “Panay” during a lay over in Chicago. Norman Allay, the photographer who shot the picture was at the theatre and they asked him to stand up and take a bow. And I just plain thought it was exciting the way he captured these pictures and suddenly this new medium seemed like a possibility to me and I had been looking for all sorts of means whereby I might be able to express myself. When I went to Seattle Washington I went a pawnshop and purchased my first camera seven dollars and fifty cents. ROBERT SENGSTACKE: How did you end up in Chicago working along side of the most renowned writers and artist of our time? GORDON PARKS: being poor and hadn’t had a chance to go to college, I ended up with the quickest thing possible. It I stopped off at the art Institute in Chicago and heard about he South Side Community Arts Center where I met Charles White, Gwendolyn August 2006

...Talking with Parks, ‘The Dean’ Brooks, Margaret Burroughs, Archibald Motley, Katherine Dickson, feeling that I must not fail, and I still have that. Peter Pollock, and David Roth who encouraged me to come to the ROBERT SENGSTACKE: I see that in your latest works you are Art Center. And said they would give me the darkroom to work in. using more of a combination of computers, photographs and However, originally Melba Louis, Joe Louis’s wife suggested I come paintings. to Chicago. They suggested I work as Pollucks assistant and that’s GORDON PARKS: You know, the camera is not meant just to the way I got my career started in Chicago. show misery. You can show beauty with it; you can do a lot of ROBERT SENGSTACKE: Being in Chicago. What was it like things. You can show—with a camera you can show things that being in the creative atmosphere with the likes of other renowned you like about the universe, things that you hate about the artists such as Elizabeth Catlett, Charles White, and Archibald universe. Motley? After the Interview Parks read a poem to us that he wrote the GORDON PARKS: I was a young photographer at the time about evening before our interview. The poem will be in his upcoming 1940 and being at the South Side Community Arts Center was poetry book entitled “A Hungry Heart”. Parks was kind enough to wonderful. It was a wonderful place for us to hang out, painters, allow us to publish it as an exclusive to the Chicago Defender. writers, surrounded me, poets a great place for artist to experiment. THAT’S THE WAY THINGS ARE We were all looking for ways to express ourselves to the outside Recently my memory is as slippery as an eel. world. MYITI SENGSTACKE: Had you ever had any formal training before The spectacles that were missing this morning Were kind enough to turn up on my head. in photography? Then there was this stupid pipe. GORDON PARKS: I didn’t even know how to use a Speed Graphic; I’d never seen one before, but I borrowed one from a friend I’m sure I left it in the bedroom last night. But after an hour’s search this afternoon of mine. His name is Harvey Goldstein. And he taught me how to I found it waiting patiently in the den. put the holders in and take them out. He didn’t teach me very well, because I double-exposed every film in the session. I got home that After arriving for an affair a day late last week night and developed them. They were nicely exposed things. My calendar was officially held as the culprit. However, I could see through the double exposure that I had good Truthfully I forgot that I forgot to consult its pages. composition and so forth but I was very distraught because all this At the moment half a banana is hiding around here. work and all the gowns and the models and the chance I had, you I’m dead sure I didn’t polish it off- dead sure. know, as they say, “muffed it.” But I had one picture and my wife Things I often forget are sometimes more significant said, “Well, why don’t you blow that one up and tell her the truth? Than things I don’t remember. Well, have to get some sleep. So I said, “All Right.” And I blew it up to 16 by 20 and met her the Someone, or the other is arriving early tomorrow morning. next day at the country club where I was supposed to continue His name escapes me. But that’s just the way things are. shooting and I had it framed an elegantly placed in the foyer of the Gordon Parks country club. She saw it and, oh, she went into ecstasy over this marvelous picture. And then I said, “Well, we didn’t have good luck with the others,” and I told her I’d double-exposed it. She said she didn’t mind, the girls didn’t mind and everything went off happily and they exhibited the pictures all around. Showed them in Mannheimers and Hershville in St. Paul. It was there that, during that particular exhibition I think Melba Louis became interested in my coming to Chicago and I think she was more or less instrumental in my coming that far because she said there was a lot of things I could do there. I think actually she wanted to get me there to assist her in her fashion outlet, you see, take pictures of her and so forth and I eventually went. And we had a very nice relationship. That’s how I got to St. Paul, how I got started in photography. Of course there was a lot more to it but generally that’s how I got started. With a seven dollar and fifty cent Voigtlander. MYITI SENGSTACKE: In looking at your work one can see your ability to transcend language and race, how were you able to look passed color in such a color divided existence? GORDON PARKS: My mother taught me what was right and what Copyright © Robert Sengstacke was wrong. She would not tolerate any sort of prejudice against ©Robert Sengstacke another person because of their color. An accomplished painter, Parks points to a painting done of him. MYITI SENGSTACKE: You have led such a fascinating life what Most of paintings adorning the walls of Parks’ home are his works. drives you to continue to work and create? ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ GORDON PARKS: My life to me is like sort of a disjointed dream. I Editor’s Note: Thanks to CAAAP member Robert Sengstacke (a highly accomplished photographer) and can’t explain it to you. Things have happened© toMarian me—incredible. It’s his daughter Myiti (Ndigo-New York) for allowing CAAAP Shot to share this interview they had with the Jones so disjointed. But all I know, it was a constant effort, a constant legendary Gordon Parks just days before his 91st birthday. 3 August 2006

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Eye-catching appearance

©Donnell Collins

The distinctive appearance of Gordon Parks caught the eye of CAAAP’s Donnell Collins.

By Donnell Collins This is a picture of Mr. Gordon Parks that I took back in 1977 while I was in the army stationed at Ft. Hood Texas. I was on vacation in New Orleans with my future wife when we heard about Bill Cosby playing in a local celebrity tennis match. Therefore, off we went to get a glimpse of the world’s #1 Dad. I had just bought my first decent camera, a Canon AE-1 and was sitting near Mr. and Mrs. Cosby trying to get up enough nerve to ask them if I could take there picture when I noticed this distinguished looking man with this beautiful leather looking skin and (his signature) salt and pepper colored hair. This was the pivotal moment in my career when I feel that I went from an 18-year-old soldier with no direction and became a

photojournalist. I had no idea who Mr. Parks was when I took this picture. I took the picture because he looked interesting. After finding out who he was a few weeks later, I began to research his life and discovered that I had watched his motion picture and read his novel, both titled, “The Learning Tree” as a child. From that day forward, I was Gordon Parks. All I wanted to do was get a job at a magazine or a newspaper and take pictures. I have worked at The Beacon News in Aurora for the past 19 years. However, my real passion is working on personal projects that involve capturing the human spirit on film like my mentor, Mr. Gordon Roger Alexander Buchanan Parks.

“I noticed this distinguished looking man with this beautiful leather looking skin and (his signature) salt and pepper colored hair... I had no idea who Mr. Parks was when I took this picture. I took the picture because he looked interesting.” 4

--Donnell Collins

August 2006

Meeting the Legend on three different occasions

©Bill Scott

©Jim Morris

Michael Bracey first met Gordon Parks on the lecture circuit during a stop in Hutchinson, Kansas in 1978.

Bracey met Gordon Park a second time 20 years later when he was the delivered the keynote address at 1998 Columbia College graduation ceremony in Chicago.

I first met Mr. Gordon Parks when I was a teenager growing up in the same state where he was born, Kansas. My town Hutchinson was on the stop during his lecture tour. My mentor and a mutual childhood friend of Mr. Parks introduced us. At this time in my life, I was standing at the “fork” in the road seeking life’s direction, but after listening to his story, he gave me hope and inspiration. Gordon Parks was the keynote speaker at the 1998 Columbia College graduation. I had received my Masters degree the year before from Columbia, but luckily was invited to return and photograph this event. This would be the second time I would meet Mr. Parks. I was able to give him a photo I had taken of him 20 years earlier during his lecture tour. As he autographed his latest book to date, Half Past Autumn, we talked about growing up in Kansas, something we both had in common. His autograph read: ”To Michael Good Luck to You a fellow Kansan Gordon Parks” After a while, he mentioned he was thirsty and I was quickly obligated to honor his request. This photo was taken at the 90th birthday party for Mr. Gordon Parks which was held in downtown Manhattan. I just wished him a happy birthday and told him I grew up in Hutchinson, Kansas. He replied with, “You know I’m from Ft. Scott, Kansas.”

The third time Bracey met Parks was in 2002 in Manhattan N.Y. during a celebration of his 90th birthday that drew 90 photographers from around the country for the event.

©Milbert O. Brown, Jr.

August 2006

Quotes on Gordon Parks “If it had not been for Gordon Parks’ lighting the way I

From CAAAP members: “Thanks to Brother Gordon Parks: Photographer.....Flimmaker.......Author.” —James Harvey

“I didn’t know that Gordon Parks had a passion for fashion photography as well as documentary. I was looking on-line and found many of his pictures of fashion models. He was truly versatile”. —Anitra Frazier

“Gordon Parks is a founding father to me. I feel that if he wasn’t there to break the grounds for future filmmakers and photographers such as myself, the doors of opportunities would still be a long time down the road and it would be much harder. It’s still difficult but because of Gordon Parks, it is not as difficult. I love his movie The Learning Tree. I really do. It is a great story that had me laughing and crying. Gordon Parks is amazing and he is someone who will live on in my personal art, life and the film and photographic community FOREVER!!! “ —Stephanie Graham “Mr. Parks’ book, A Choice of Weapons, gave me a way of telling our history.” —Rudy Hudson

would not have had a foundation upon which I could build a career of my own in Photojournalism. It is because of Gordon Parks that I shoot primarily in available light using flash only when there is no light. His work was the guiding force in the way I saw the world and as time went on was able to find my own way of seeing. It was my honor to have participated in the Songs of My People book project over some 16 years ago: Gordon was a very important part of. It was during that time I got to know him as a great photographer and a fine person as well. I count it a blessing to have been able to hear him recount the many stories about his life. It is because of Gordon Parks I was able to complete 38 years as a photojournalist for the Chicago Sun-Times. On Friday May 5, 2006, I retired from the Sun-Times but not from the craft of photography like Gordon, I will continue to work in photography until God retires me from this world.” —Bob Black CELEBRATION “Anthony Barboza was an organizer of both the 1st and 2nd Annual Black Photographer’s Dinners in 1979 and 1980 in New York City. The 1st Annual Dinner honored the late and great James Vanderzee. But it was at the 2nd Annual Dinner where Gordon Parks was honored as well. It was a very special time to be at those gatherings along with so many photographers who were present to meet and pay homage to such legendary contributors. When we think about the powerful images that were left to the world by those legends, as well as from Black photographers who came before them and those who have come after, we see the extraordinary context in which to view our own work and our contributions to a rich history. And so with gratitude we once again celebrate the life of Gordon Parks.” —Marian Jones

Notes: Hello Photographers, You can Listen to a wonderful interview of Gordon Parks by Tavis Smiley. Go to Nation Public Radio www.npr.org and search under archives. (march 4, 2003 Tavis Smiley show or search under Gordon Parks.) Enjoy. James Harvey 6

To view a video tribute to Gordon Parks from mourners at his funeral services please paste the following link in you web browser. http:// www.current.tv/studio/media/1903949. The piece was produced by John Carluccio. Carluccio documents people in music and the arts. A forward from Kenneth Muhammad of CAAAP. August 2006

Celebrating 90 years A cheerful Gordon Parks greeting all guests as he arrived in Harlem to celebrate his 90th birthday on November 30, 2002. See more celebration photos on pages 8 and 9. Copyright © Robert Sengstacke

CAAAP members (standing l-r): John H. White, Michael Bracey, Brent Jones, Bob Black and Milbert O. Brown, Jr. (seated right) poise for a shot with Parks at the reception celebrating his 90th birthday. Copyright © Hillary Garrison

Three legendary photographers (left to right): CAAAP Founder and Chicago Sun Times photographer (ret.), Bob Black, Ernest Withers, a Memphis photographer that was highly noted for his civil rights work and former Life photojournalist, movie director and author, Gordon Parks at the reception for Parks’ 90th birthday celebration.

This photo of Gordon Parks was taken in 1987 at the South Shore Cultural Center. He is pictured with Robert Sengstacke (c) and Bob Black (r) at a book-signing event. Sengstacke provided this picture from his archives and indicated that the South Side Community Arts Center sponsored the event. Parks taught at the center early in his career.

August 2006

November 30, 2002

Ninety photographers joined Parks in New York to celebrate 90th birthday

Milbert O. Brown, Jr. (L) greeting ‘The Dean’.

John H. White (r) extending a personal greeting to Parks.

Bob Black (L), and Parks sharing a moment.

August 2006

Historic birthday celebration for Gordon Parks

On November 30, 2002, 90 African-American Photographers made their way to New York to celebrate and honor Gordon Parks for his 90th birthday. The Exposure Group of the African-American Photographers Association of Harlem, New York sponsored the event. Seven members of Chicago Alliance of African-American Photographers (CAAAP) were present for this historic event: Bob Black, Michael Bracey, Milbert O. Brown, Jr., Ovie Carter, Brent Jones, Robert Sengstacke and John H. White.

August 2006

Gordon Parks First African-American Photographer for Life & Vogue Magazines Received first Julius Rosenwald Fellowship in photography in 1942 First African-American Director & Screenwriter Author — Highly Praised Writer Poet Skilled Painter ©The Beacon News Prolific Composer National Association of Black Journalist (NABJ) Hall of Fame 1983 NAACP Hall of Fame – 1984 Copyright © Milbert O. Brown, Jr.

Gordon Parks was a genius. He was truly remarkable. He was a unique and multi-talented individual. His life and body of work inspired scores of people worldwide. He ignited the flame of hope in many African-American artists. No individual or group can measure his contributions to the artistic field. I will never stop dreaming and never stop trying to make them come true. It seemed as though when Parks perceived something he then went out and achieved it. There is no doubt he was extremely focused on each task he set out to ©Jim Morris accomplish. I am grateful to have live during his era and equally grateful at the opportunity I now have to review all his work. In closing I will like to say to Mr. Gordon Park, job well done. 10

—Douglas Griswold, Editor

Executive Board President Milbert O. Brown, Jr. Vice President Philemon Najieb Treasurer James Holly Secretary Terrence Blount Deputy Directors Bob Black Milbert O. Brown, Jr.

Chicago Alliance of African American Photographers P.O. Box 5284 Chicago, IL 60680-5284

Some of the highlights in Gordon Parks’ body of work includes 15 books (fiction and nonfiction, poetry, photography). He compiled two documentaries: Flavio and Diary of a Harlem Family, in which he received an Emmy Award. His films include The Learning Tree, based on his book; Shaft; Shaft’s Big Score; The Super Cops and Leadbelly. He composed the musical scores for Shaft and Leadbelly. He produced the Five Movement Ballet titled Martin, based on incidents in the life Martin Luther King, Jr. He provided the photographs used in Spike Lee’s movie Malcolm X.

Editor Douglas Griswold Contributing Writers Marian Jones James Harvey

This newsletter is property of the Chicago Alliance of African American Photographers (CAAAP). No parts of this newsletter can be reproduced without the written permission of CAAAP and/or its members. Copyright protected material and logo. --501 (3) Not-for-profit Organization.

August 2006