Museum Press

Housatonic Museum of Art Receives Larry Silver Photograph

Sept. 12, 2011
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT ROBBIN ZELLA AT 203-332-5052

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Robbin Zella, Housatonic Museum Director, has announced the acquisition to the HMA permanent collection of a photograph by internationally known photographer and Westport resident Larry Silver.  The photograph, donated to the museum by Silver in memory of his long time friend Burt Chernow, is from his celebrated series, "Muscle Beach, 1954" which was the subject of a solo exhibition at the International Center of Photography and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.  

Silver began photographing the streets and subways of New York City in 1949 at the age of 15. He attended the Art Center School in Los Angeles and moved to Westport in 1973.  His work is currently in over 20 museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Yale University Art Gallery, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, George Eastman House, the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, Whitney Museum of American Art and many others.  

Ms. Zella, says, “We are delighted to have this very significant work by Larry Silver.  It is indicative of his tremendous contribution to the art of photography and is another important addition to the collection of the HMA.”

Photographs from Silver’s most recent project are abstract and far removed from the images that he has produced in the past.  Silver has broadened the scope of photography using experimental dark room techniques and adding color to his black & white photography.

An exhibition of his most recent work will be shown at the Silverstein Gallery, 529 West 20th Street, New York.  Opening reception October 13, 2011, 6-8 PM.  

In addition Silver's work will be part of an exhibition at the Jewish Museum, 1109 5th Ave at 92nd St, New York "The Radical Camera: New York's Photo League, 1936-1951” Nov. 04, 2011-March 25, 2012.

The Housatonic Museum of Art is located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in Housatonic Community College, Bridgeport Connecticut. The Museum is open to the public at no charge Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday evening until 7 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Sunday noon until 4 p.m. College parking is available. The Museum is closed when the college is closed.

For further information call 203-332-5052 or 203-332-5000. Visit the Museum web site at www.housatonicmuseum.org <http://www.housatonicmuseum.org> .

Housatonic Community College provides an affordable and accessible education through two-year degrees, transfer preparation, and certificate programs, as well as a wide variety of continuing education and personal/professional enrichment seminars and workshops.  In addition, HCC offers employee and occupational training for businesses, municipalities, government agencies, and professional associations to help develop the educated and skilled workforce required to meet regional business and industry needs.  HCC is nationally recognized as an “Achieving the Dream” institution.

HCC is located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in downtown Bridgeport, less than 150 yards off I-95 (Exit 27) and Rte. 8 (Exit 1), a block from the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard. Free parking is available in the Housatonic garage.