Deb Perry

Photography in America evolved, in many respects, right alongside everything else.

The evolution of American photography has long been entwined with the evolution of our country. From the dramatic Civil War photographs of Matthew Brady to the work of Jacob Riis who opened our eyes to the conditions of tenement life at the turn of the century and on to the work of Ernest Withers which so vividly documented our nation’s struggle to establish Civil Rights, our photographers have used their skills to bring our social issues to life.

From another perspective, photographers like Ansel Adams shared the beauty of the American landscape, Margaret Bourke White showed how beautiful machines could be, and a bevy of talented others turned their lens on everyday life in the most modern and progressive nation in the world.

The Museum recently discovered the work of photographer Deb Perry whose eye for both urban and rural life is sharp. Her work speaks volumes about the way we live and the things we value. Through the generosity of a private gift, we were able to acquire two works by this talented Midwestern artist and add them to our growing collection.