Clarence John Laughlin and His Contemporaries

A Louisiana native, Clarence John Laughlin (1905–1985) began his career as photographer in the 1930s, eventually emerging as one of America’s pioneers in surrealist and experimental photography. Though he felt himself isolated from the mainstream art world, his exhaustive written records and remarkable collection of images prove otherwise: Laughlin corresponded extensively and often traded photographs with his artistic peers. Opening at the Historic New Orleans Collection's Williams Research Center, Clarence John Laughlin and His Contemporaries: A Picture and a Thousand Words displays the enigmatic photographer’s letters to and from fellow artists, writers, editors and curators; alongside the prints he exchanged with his contemporaries. Tuesday—Saturday at 410 Chartres Street. (504) 523-4662 or hnoc.org.