Woodmere Art Museum will spotlight the work of renowned Philadelphia photographer and activist Harvey Finkle in an upcoming exhibition that chronicles decades of social justice movements through his lens.
"In the Moment: The Art & Photography of Harvey Finkle" opens Aug. 3 and runs through Jan. 5. The show features about 50 photographs taken by Finkle over the past half-century, offering an intimate view of diverse communities and political activism.
Guest curator Antongiulio Sorgini said Finkle's images draw viewers into urgent conversations on topics including housing insecurity, disability rights, immigration and Deaf culture.
"What I find remarkable about Finkle's photographs are the subtle and sophisticated ways in which they draw you into urgent conversations," Sorgini said in a press release. "By engaging with Finkle's work, we catch a glimpse of photography's ability to affect positive social change."
Now 90, Finkle has spent his career documenting social, political and cultural issues in Philadelphia and beyond. His work spans street protests, portraits and daily life in marginalized communities.
The exhibition explores how Finkle's photography interrogates social inequities, evokes empathy and inspires political action. His subjects have included the Kensington Welfare Rights Union, ACT UP, disability rights activists and Philadelphia's Jewish community. He's also extensively documented education issues and Deaf culture.
"Harvey tells us what's important through his pictures," Stephen F. Gold, a longtime friend, told The Inquirer in a 2009 story. "And the rest of us are just incredibly lucky and blessed that Harvey Finkle became a photographer."
Born to New Deal Democrats, Finkle found his calling in social work before turning to photography in the late 1960s. The birth of his deaf children spurred his advocacy for disability rights and led him to document the National Theater of the Deaf.
In the early 1970s, Finkle became involved with a group called the People's Fund, which evolved into the Bread & Roses Community Fund, an organization that raises money for social action causes. The organization honored him in 2009 for his relentless efforts toward social justice.
"He can capture what most of us cannot even see," Sister Mary Scullion, co-founder of Project HOME, has said of Finkle who has documented the nonprofit since its early days.
The Woodmere exhibition will be accompanied by several events, including a gallery talk with Finkle and Sorgini on Aug. 8, an opening reception on Sept. 14 and a panel discussion on Oct. 19 featuring Sorgini; Andrew Mendelson, professor at the Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY; longtime anti-poverty activist Cheri Honkala and photographer Zoe Strauss.
Finkle's work has been widely exhibited and published. He's produced four books, including "Urban Nomads" and "Still Home: Jews of South Philadelphia."
Throughout his career, Finkle has often worked pro bono when organizations lacked funds to pay him. His dedication has taken him across the United States and to countries including Cuba, Guatemala, Israel, Gaza, Brazil and India.
"This is what I do and I've never aspired to more," Finkle said in a 2009 interview with The Inquirer. "Never been interested in making films or anything like that."
The exhibit of Finkle’s photography will be featured at Woodmere alongside ”The Photo Review: Best of Show 2024,” which presents the work of the winners of the 2024 International Photography Competition, organized annually by the Photo Review journal. For more information, visit woodmereartmuseum.org. The museum is located at 9201 Germantown Ave. in Chestnut Hill.
