STEPHEN WILKES

Stephen Wilkes: Capturing Time and Transforming Perceptions

Stephen Wilkes, born in 1957, developed a passion for photography at the age of 12, a passion that has stayed with him throughout his life. He studied at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Photography. The specialized communication program allowed him to gain a deep understanding of media history and uses. In 1983, he opened his studio in New York City and has been photographing ever since.

Wilkes works on a wide range of photographic projects, including commercial assignments, publishing work, and personal endeavors, always aiming to reach the largest audience possible. His dedication to his craft is evident in his willingness to devote significant time and effort to projects that he is passionate about. Wilkes’ photographic works have the power to alter our perception of the world and provoke reactions.

In 1998, a one-day assignment on the south side of Ellis Island evolved into a five-year photographic project. The result was Ghosts of Freedom (published in 2006), a comprehensive photo and video study of this abandoned location, including the medical wards where immigrants were detained. They underwent tests and quarantine before being allowed to enter America. Wilkes’ widely shared photos contributed to a significant impact, securing $6 million in funds to restore the south side of the island.

In a different approach, Wilkes’ recent series Day to Night, which began in 2009, combines images captured over an entire day into a single photograph. This complex and meticulous work showcases carefully selected landscapes and architectures, requiring digital treatment of an average of 1,400 photos taken during more than 24-hour shooting sessions. This tour de force results in stunning images that capture the passage of time within a single frame.

Explore the transformative work of Stephen Wilkes and discover how his photographs can change our perception of the world on IGWT.

Stephen WILKES, Notre-Dame from Tournelle Bridge, series Day to Night, 2013.

Stephen Wilkes: Exploring Human Connections with the Environment Through Photography

Stephen Wilkes’ photography deeply examines our relationship with the environment. His subjects often involve human beings closely, consistently highlighting their connection with their surroundings. His work explores various themes, such as time (Ellis Island; Day to Night; China: Old and New), labor and industry (China Factories; Burned Objects; Bethlehem Steel), and nature and the environment (Remnants: Gulf Disasters; Nudes; Katrina). Human presence is a recurring motif, sometimes subtly interwoven into the narrative.

Wilkes’ photographs have received numerous awards and are part of prestigious museum collections. To delve deeper into his artworks and better understand his unique perspective, we invite you to explore Stephen Wilkes’ photos featured on IGWT.

Stephen WILKES TED Talks about his famous series Day to Night.

Stephen Wilkes: Fairs, Exhibitions, Collections, and Awards

Fairs and Exhibitions:

Responds 9/11, Fairfield Museum, Connecticut, September 2011
Ellis Island, James A. Michener Art Museum, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, June 2010
Images, Fairfield Museum, April 2009
Stephen Wilkes, Ellis Island, Chicago Cultural Arts, July 2008
Stephen Wilkes, Ellis Island, Griffin Museum of Photography, January 2008

Private Collections & Museums:

George Eastman Museum, Rochester, New York
James A. Michener Art Museum, Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Houston Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas
Griffin Museum of Photography, Winchester, Massachusetts
Jewish Museum of New York, New York, New York
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Snite Museum of Art, Notre Dame, Indiana
The Historic New Orleans Collection, New Orleans, Louisiana
Museum of the City of New York, New York, New York
9/11 Memorial Museum, New York, New York

Awards:

2015: American Photography 31, Selected Winner
2014: PDN Award of Excellence, Photojournalism, Vanity Fair
2014: American Photography 30
2014: Prix Pictet, Consumption, Honorable Mention
2013: PDN Award of Excellence, Photojournalism, Sandy
2013: PDN Award of Excellence, Fine Art, Day to Night Shanghai
2012: Sony World Photography Professional Award
2012: Adobe Breakthrough Photography Award
2011: Photo District News (PDN) Award of Excellence
2007: Prix De La Photographie Paris, Honorable Mention; Human Condition
2007: Lucie Awards 1st Place, Professional Photographer, Editorial, The Rise of Big Water
2007: Lucie Awards 1st Place, Fine Art, Ellis Island: Ghost of Freedom
2004: Epson Creativity Award
2004: Lucie Award Fine Art Photographer of the Year
American Photography, Award of Excellence: 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014
Photo District News Award of Excellence: 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010
Communication Arts Award of Excellence: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010