Friedlander

Among photography’s most prolific practitioners, Lee Friedlander is also heralded as one of the United States’ finest. This retrospective assembles the most comprehensive array of Friedlander’s work to date — nearly 400 pictures spanning the 1950s to the present — for a stunning overview of his multifaceted career. Inspired by Walker Evans and Robert Frank, Friedlander trained his eye on the everyday — streets, cars, storefronts, billboards — to capture distinctly American scenes and images. His style is inflected by a sharp wit and sense of humor, frequently taking advantage of elements considered by most to be obstacles, including his own shadow or reflection. Friedlander features examples from the artist’s extensive personal photo series as well as his commercial work for magazines and album covers. SFMOMA’s presentation also includes recent pictures from the sets of high-end fashion shoots.

This exhibition is organized by The Museum of Modern Art, New York.

The San Francisco presentation is generously supported by the Bernard and Barbro Foundation of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund; Bob and Randi Fisher; and Kay and Frank Woods, in honor of David Robinson. Additional support is provided by Susan Swig Watkins.