William Gale Gedney Collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS 2019.0014

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection comprises materials related to an exhibit on William Gale Gedney curated by Paige Ingalls which was shown by the organization "All Arts Matter" at the Greenville Central School in October of 2007. Within the collection is a binder compiled by Paige Ingalls with details on the content of the exhibit as well as information on William Gale Gedney compiled while researching his life and work. Of particular note are materials within this binder which relate to his life as a young man in Greenville. Also included is a hardcover copy of "What Was True: the Photographs and Notebooks of William Gedney" by Margaret Sartor which is an informative review of Gedney's life and career as a photographer.

Dates

Majority of material found in 2007

Biographical / Historical

William Gale Gedney, Jr. (1932-10-29 to 1989-06-23) was the son of William Gale Gedney and Violet Tryon Gedney. Born in Greenville, Mr. Gedney graduated from the Pratt Institute in 1955 with a BFA in Graphic Design. Known primarily for his Street Photography, William Gedney was the recipient of a rather long list of prestigious fellowships and grants and during his lifetime had his photographs exhibited at such prestigious institutions as the Museum of Modern Art and George Eastman House. He was a very private individual, and remained relatively obscure until his death from AIDS in June of 1989. A surge in posthumous interest in Gedney's work is largely due to the efforts of his friend Lee Friedlander, who became the caretaker of Gedney's photographs and legacy after his friend's passing.