Arthur Pollock is a master of photojournalism. Arthur’s son Jesse Pollock (see his work at Hamburger Eyes) has brought his father’s work to a new audience. Photographs focused on Boston and New England form stories of 1970s and 80s life.
Much journalism today is the antithesis of the ‘show and don’t tell’ mantra, taking the reader towards the emotive writer’s literal airbrushing. At its best photojournalism is in-depth, looking at the subjects in their environment – the camera an extension of the journalist’s objective gaze.
Says Jesse:
“Photojournalists don’t really like to talk about their work as art because it’s more of a group dynamic; you’re on a team. It’s blue collar, like a firefighter. And you don’t say, ‘I’m the best firefighter.’ It’s hard for him to put his work out there like that. He doesn’t think of it as art. He’ll think of it as a photojournalism exhibition. The nearest art category you could throw it into is street photography, but I don’t think of it like that. It has a hard, journalistic viewpoint at heart.”
Incinerator Fire – E. Chicago, 1975.
Group Home – Syracuse, 1975.
Mill Worker – Lowell, 1977.
Abe’s Donut Shop – Syracuse, 1975.
Pawtucket Boulevard Midway – Lowell, 1980.
1984 photograph of a life-size brontosaurus being transported by helicopter to the Boston Museum of Science
Downtown – Hammond, 1975.
Pizza Shop – Chelmsford, 1978.
Barbershop – Lynn, 1985.
City Hall Biker Protest – Lowell, 1977.
City Hall Biker Protest – Lowell, 1977.
Prisoner Transport – Leominster, 1980.
Lotte’s Flower Shop – Madison, 1971.
Construction Workers – Lowell, 1978.
Fall – Lowell, 1978.
Construction Workers – Hammond, 1975.
Bar Room – Lowell, 1978.
Art’s Drive-In – Whiting, 1975.
Truck Driver – Hammond, 1975.
Downtown – Lowell, 1977.
Democratic National Convention – Miami, 1972.
Mill Worker – Lowell, 1977.
Miss Nude America – Roselawn, 1975.
Teacher Strike – W. Siville, 1975.
Kennedy Avenue – Highland, 1976.
Watermelon Championships – Pardeeville, 1971.
Pride’s Crossing – Beverly, 1980.
A great book of Arthur Pollock’s work is available at unpiano.com.
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