Self-Made Memorials

Weight of the world: T.C.’s Back by photographer Jonathan Hyman.Jonathan Hyman

Over the past ten years, New York-based photographer Jonathan Hyman has been documenting artwork created by Americans on the side of the road and in public places in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. His images depict a range of subjects and artistic styles—murals painted by graffiti artists, farmhouses painted with American flags, firefighters baring elaborate memorial tattoos.

A new exhibition in Perkins Library’s Special Collections Gallery brings together a selection of Hyman’s photographs. “Flesh & Metal, Bodies & Buildings: Works from Jonathan Hyman’s Archive of 9/11 Vernacular Memorials” is curated by Pedro Lasch, professor of art, art history & visual studies at Duke. Part of a series of events commemorating the tenth anniversary of 9/11 at Duke, it will be on view until October 16.

A related reception, panel discussion, and talk with Hyman and Lasch will be held on September 8 in the Mary Duke Biddle Rare Book Room.