Clearing Land, Ellis Unit

1967- 69

American, born 1942

Lyon is a photographer committed to the documentary treatment of social realities. In 1967 he gained permission to move freely through six prisons operated by the Texas Department of Corrections. He tried to communicate the distressing reality he encountered as a visitor from the outside. Lyon contributes to a graphic tradition of concentrated, intensely dramatic images that stretches back to Goya's etching series "Disasters of War" (1810-13).

Gelatin Silver Print

8 3/4 x 13 in. (22.3 x 33 cm)

Gift of Steven and Judith Clifford in honor of the museum's 50th year

83.288.13

Photo: Elizabeth Mann

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, 200 Photographs from the Museum Collection, Dec. 8, 1983 - Feb. 5, 1984. Text by Rod Slemmons. No cat. no. (as LTL 26.1980).

Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Collection Highlights: 1945 to the Present, Sept. 12, 1996 - June 1, 1997.

Seattle, Washington, Danny Lyon: Dissenter in His Own Country, Nov. 13, 2019 - June 28, 2020.

Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.

Learn more about Equity at SAM

Clearing Land, Ellis Unit

Clearing Land, Ellis Unit

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Resources