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Photo Exhibit: John Shearer

March 23, 2024 by Rayna Diane Hennen

when did i go? March 22nd, 2024. This was the Friday of the 3 days off I scheduled for my birthday.

I very rarely schedule time off for myself. I work for myself and I often just keep going. I have unproductive days, sometimes a few in a row and I’m sure that stems from not resting enough or having much play time. The big guy works for a company and so at the beginning of the year, I always mark his days off on my calendar so at least I know that I’ll have those days off.

But days just for myself? Not really. This year though, in January, I marked three days off in March that would be just for me. March is not totally random – it is my birthday month so it seemed as good as time as any!

One of the things I did was go to a photo exhibit at The Capa Space, a small little exhibition center in Westchester County.

John Shearer Flyer from the Capa Space

The Photographer

Photographer John Shearer on assignment outside Attica prison during a prisoner riot and uprising. From Life Magazine. (Photo by Bill Ray/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation)

The photographic process was one that he took to readily, even instinctively: “Human gesture and expression are the essence of photography. It’s not about lights or fast lenses and fast film. It’s the ability to capture a moment in time. To capture the spirit of someone in that magic box is wonderful. It’s what I fell in love with as a kid. – from Life.com

Attica Prison Riots

The Riots happened at the Attica Correctional Facility in upstate New York on Thursday, Sept. 9, 1971 because of Physical brutality, lack of access to medical treatment and poor sanitation.

By the time they arrived, more than 1,000 inmates had taken control of the facility, with 42 officers and employees held hostage. Facing the media mob, the inmates turned away every photographer except for one: Shearer, his film in tow. – Eliza Berman, Time Magazine

State trooper holding burnt cap of a guard taken hostage during riot at Attica State prison. From Life Magazine. (Photo by John Shearer/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation)
Caption from LIFE. The agony of his decision reflected in his face. New York’s Commissioner of Correction Russell Oswald reluctantly ordered a full-scale assault on rebellious inmates at Attica prison after the negotiations had reached a deadlock.John Shearer—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

It was a really great exhibit – there was so much emotion in such a small space.

You can read more about the photos and riots on Time Magazine.

Nursery Trip
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