"Coreen Simpson carved her own path to success she never waited for anyone to hand her an opportunity. In her 1978 portrait of Toni Morrison, the author gazes directly into the camera with a striking expression that holds the viewer's eyes fixed on hers. A shadow fills the space between Morrison and the world, compelling the audience to reckon with her presence."
"When working at the Studio Museum in Harlem as an assistant curator, Simpson set up an unofficial photography studio in her office and assigned herself the task of photographing artists, such as Morrison, who came to visit the museum. I made up this whole thing, I'm Coreen Simpson, and I would like to do an official portrait of you,' she says."
"At 83 years old, Simpson remains excited about photography, and in a newly released photo book from Aperture's Vision & Justice project, titled Coreen Simpson: A Monograph, viewers can experience the joy of her imagery. Her black-and-white portraits reveal the quiet and luminous spirit of her subjects, while her compelling experimental portraits challenge the audience to confront their perception of women's bodies by covering their faces with masks."
Coreen Simpson built a self-directed photographic career and refused to wait for opportunities. Her 1978 portrait of Toni Morrison captures a striking gaze, a shadowed presence, and the cigarette as a gesture of power. Simpson established an unofficial studio at the Studio Museum in Harlem and invited visiting artists to sit for portraits. Her work includes luminous black-and-white images and experimental masked portraits that confront viewers' perceptions of women's bodies. At 83 she remains passionate about photography and released a monograph through Aperture's Vision & Justice project that celebrates the joy and depth of her imagery.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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