Fields of Labor and Recovery

Fields of Labor and Recovery: a photographic portrait of Utah from the Great Depression to WWII, 1936-1942

November 19th 2022 – January 28th 2023

Special guest lecture December 7th 5:30-7pm

During the heart of the Great Depression, five of America’s most talented photographers came to Utah. Over the next six years, they captured the shattered remnants of local farming and mining industries and the stalwart resolve of the people who bravely endured these grueling times. In Fields of Labor and Recovery, experience the powerful artistry of master photographers Dorothea Lange, Russell Lee, Arthur Rothstein, Andreas Feininger, and John Vachon as they document the lives of Carbon County miners, Cache Valley farmers, children at play, and worshippers expressing their faith. These photographs will help you connect with the heritage of the land around you and the generations who came before.

Curated by Dr. James Swenson, Associate Professor of Art History, Brigham Young University