Beneath the Surface: Mining and American Photography at National Gallery of Art
From May 23 to August 23, 2026, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., will host the exhibition 'Beneath the Surface: Mining and American Photography.' Co-curated by Diane Waggoner and Kristen Gaylord, this showcase includes 150 photographs from over 100 artists, covering a span of 185 years. It delves into the social and environmental consequences of mining, such as deforestation and water pollution, featuring prominent figures like Richard Avedon, Walker Evans, and Dorothea Lange. The exhibition is organized into six sections that reflect the advancements in photographic technology. Kaywin Feldman emphasized the historical significance of photography, while Waggoner pointed out its reliance on precious metals. Following its run, the exhibition will travel to the Milwaukee Art Museum and Amon Carter Museum.
Key facts
- Exhibition runs May 23 to August 23, 2026 at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
- First exhibition to exclusively examine mining and American photography.
- Features 150 photographs by over 100 artists.
- Co-curated by Diane Waggoner and Kristen Gaylord.
- Organized with Milwaukee Art Museum and Amon Carter Museum of American Art.
- Travels to Milwaukee Art Museum and Amon Carter Museum after Washington.
- Includes works by Richard Avedon, Walker Evans, Lewis Hine, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Dorothea Lange, and more.
- Divided into six chronological sections from Gold Rush daguerreotypes to contemporary works.
Entities
Artists
- Richard Avedon
- Walker Evans
- Lewis Hine
- LaToya Ruby Frazier
- Dorothea Lange
- David Maisel
- Gordon Parks
- Mitch Epstein
- Carleton Watkins
- Will Wilson
- Edward Burtynsky
- Binh Danh
- Terry Evans
- Victoria Sambunaris
- Cara Romero
- Margaret Bourke-White
- Marion Post Wolcott
- Bernd and Hilla Becher
- Florence Kemmler
- Alma Lavenson
- Mary Morris
- Zig Jackson
- Timothy H. O'Sullivan
- James F. Ryder
- Thomas H. Johnson
- Andrew Joseph Russell
- Thomas Houseworth
- B.F. Childs
- F. Jay Haynes
- William H. Rau
- Frank J. Schlueter
- Unknown photographer
Institutions
- National Gallery of Art
- Milwaukee Art Museum
- Amon Carter Museum of American Art
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
- The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
- The Museum of Modern Art
- Library of Congress
- Smithsonian American Art Museum
- British Museum
- Oxfam Australia
- Joseph Bellows Gallery
Locations
- Washington, D.C.
- United States
- Milwaukee
- Wisconsin
- Fort Worth
- Texas
- California
- Nevada
- Montana
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
- Utah
- Houston
- Yellowstone National Park
- Marquette
- Lake Superior
- Sábme