Exhibitions

A Letter from Japan: The Photographs of John Swope

September 19–November 30, 2008
Main Gallery

John Swope, Arai, September 5, 1945, gelatin silver print. UCLA Grunwald Center for the Graphic Arts, Hammer Museum. Gift of the John Swope Trust, © John Swope Trust.

This exhibition features photographs from American John Swope's three-and-a-half week journey to Japan in the immediate aftermath of World War II. Officially traveling with the U.S. military to document the release of Allied prisoners of war, Swope also photographed Japanese civilians and the country's war-ravaged landscapes. His striking images, coupled with a letter Swope composed to his wife during the trip, create a highly complex portrait of two nations and their people as they move from bitter war to fragile peace.

Click on the picture for a slideshow. (Requires Adobe Flash Player)

Read a story about this exhibition from the Evanston Review.

Related Events

• Tours. Free guided tours of this exhibition will take place Saturdays at 2 pm through November 29.
  
  
• The Artist at War: John Swope and the History of War Photography. On September 26, exhibition curator Carolyn Peter, director of the Laband Art Gallery, Loyola Marymount University, spoke about Swope's work. An audio recording of her talk is available on the Block's podcast page.
  
  
• The Photograpy of John Swope and Hollywood's Depiction of World War II. Block Cinema presents a film series inspired by the John Swope exhibition.
  
  
• Three American Photographers: In Depth. The Block explores the work of John Swope, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Gordon Parks this year with a series of educational programs. Learn more about the photographers and upcoming events on our Three American Photographers page.

A Letter from Japan: The Photographs of John Swope was organized by the Hammer Museum. The exhibition and catalogue are generously supported by Gail and Jerry Oppenheimer, with additional support from Mrs. Sidney F. Brody, The Judith Rothschild Foundation, Shirlee Fonda, and Jane Wyatt. Additional support is provided by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; Myers Foundations; and Terra Foundation for American Art.