AFA National Tour of Presence - The Photography Collection of Judy Glickman Lauder
- Aug 30
- 4 min read
The American Federation of Arts (AFA) announces the launch of Presence: The Photography Collection of Judy Glickman Lauder, the new traveling exhibition featuring more than 100 photographs by more than 50 artists, drawn entirely from the collection of Judy Glickman Lauder — photographer, collector, humanitarian, advocate, philanthropist, and community builder. After the world premiere at the Southampton Arts Center, Presence will continue traveling to museum audiences across the United States.
Spanning from Pictorialism and social documentary to Surrealism and street photography, this riveting exploration of photography’s engagement with the human spirit features works by beloved and revered practitioners, including: Merry Alpern, Diane Arbus, Richard Avedon, Imogen Cunningham, Dorothea Lange, Danny Lyon, Susan Meiselas, Ruth Orkin, Gordon Parks, Edward Steichen, Joyce Tenneson, James Van Der Zee, and many others. The exhibition also includes photographs by critical contributors to the medium’s history, such as Irving Bennett Ellis, Nan Goldin, Graciela Iturbide, Lotte Jacobi, Alma Lavenson, and Judy Glickman Lauder, the collector herself. The exhibition creates conversations across time and space that are only possible through Glickman Lauder’s singular collection.
Presence is curated by Anjuli Lebowitz, PhD, the Judy Glickman Lauder Curator of Photography at the Portland Museum of Art, in Maine. From the anonymous to the celebrity, and from the everyday to era-defining events such as the Great Depression, the Holocaust, and the Civil Rights Movement, Presence captures the full spectrum of the human experience. All of the works in the exhibition are promised gifts to the Portland Museum of Art, Maine.
“This collection brings together some of the most influential voices in 20th century photography, offering a powerful reflection on how we see and understand one another. As Presence travels to museums across the country, it affirms the AFA’s belief that art should be accessible to communities everywhere. We hope visitors leave with a deeper appreciation for photography’s ability to connect us across time and place,” says Pauline Forlenza, the Director and CEO of the American Federation of Arts.
A special thank you to Judy Glickman Lauder for her contributions to the field and for allowing the American Federation of Arts to bring her incredible collection to visitors across the country. “I hope that visitors are moved by the emotional presence and lasting power of these images, just as I was,” says Judy Glickman Lauder. “Photography connects us to history while reminding us that we are a part of its ongoing story. It has the power to tell authentic, compassionate stories about what it means to be human. Working with the American Federation of Arts has been a true collaboration, rooted in a shared belief of access, connection, and dialogue. I’ve been thrilled to work with the AFA team,” adds Glickman Lauder.
The national touring exhibition creates a poignant dialogue among a vast selection of photographs and offers an extraordinary journey through the lenses of some of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. Presence: The Photography Collection of Judy Glickman Lauder is co-organized by the Portland Museum of Art, Maine and the American Federation of Arts, and is generously supported by an anonymous donor with additional support by Ellen and Robert Grimes. AFA exhibitions are made possible by the generosity of Monique Schoen Warshaw.
From the adoration of a loved one or the wonder felt before nature, to the hardship of labor or the devastation of war, photographs can be imprinted with the totality of human experiences. The concept of Presence is expressed through the tenderness of portraits, the awe within landscapes, the clarity of reportage, and the spontaneity of cityscapes. The exhibition embraces that totality, examining the deeply humanistic history of photography through eight thematic sections. The photographs emote, connecting us to the lives of others in unfamiliar places or circumstances — capturing the full spectrum of the human experience.
Using the concept of an image’s capacity to evoke a sense of “presence” as a point of departure, this selection of works from Judy Glickman Lauder’s collection shines a spotlight on the essential threads that connect and divide us, weaving together moments of vulnerability, strength, love, grief and resilience.
Judy Glickman Lauder (b. 1938) is internationally recognized as an acclaimed photographer, philanthropist, and author known for her impactful contributions to the fields of photography and history. Her life’s work, whether through her art, her generosity, or her collecting, is defined by a deep appreciation for life and all its intricacies. This fascination with humanity, and the nuances and complexities therein, encompasses all her creative and spiritual endeavors, and has led her across the world in the pursuit of connecting people to one another. Glickman Lauder has made indelible contributions to the field of photography.
Glickman Lauder’s earlier years involved her posing for her father, Irving Bennett Ellis, who captured her growth from infancy to adulthood, resulting in the iconic “Turn Around” television commercial for Kodak during the 1960s. The experience sparked her own lifelong love of the medium. In the 1970s, Glickman Lauder acquired her first professional camera and took a special interest in photographing cityscapes and traveling to Europe to document sites related to the Holocaust — images that are today held by institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the J. Paul Getty Museum, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. With a deep passion for creating powerful stories through the lens of her camera, Lauder’s work often explores themes related to human rights, social justice, and the human condition. In addition to her photographic career, Judy Glickman Lauder has been an active advocate for various philanthropic causes, aiming to make a positive impact on society. Her commitment to raising awareness and inspiring change aligns seamlessly with her artistic endeavors, creating a synergy between her creative practice and dedication to making the world a better place.
