Lee Friedlander is a groundbreaking American photographer renowned for his pioneering portrayals of urban streets. His street photography often captures unposed portraits of individuals, striking signs, and subtle reflections of himself in storefront windows, showcasing the unexpected interplay of light and subject matter within the bustling cityscape. In his own words, “I’m not a calculated photographer. You don’t have to search for photos. The material is abundant. You go out and the photos are staring at you.” Born on July 14, 1934 in Aberdeen, WA, Friedlander honed his skills at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena before relocating to New York in 1956. Influenced by the artistry of Eugène Atget and Walker Evans, he strived to view the world from an outsider’s perspective, spontaneously responding to the endless potential of images surrounding him. Along with Diane Arbus and Garry Winogrand, Friedlander was featured in the groundbreaking exhibition “New Documents” at The Museum of Modern Art in 1967, curated by John Szarkowski. He later gained critical acclaim with the publication of his acclaimed photography book, The American Monument, in 1976. In more recent years, Friedlander released America by Car in 2010, a book accompanied by an exhibition at the Whitney Museum, showcasing a series of photos captured on road trips from the driver’s seat of rental cars. The influential artist continues to reside and create in New York, NY. Today, his compelling photographs are held in prestigious collections such as the Art Institute of Chicago, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, among others.
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