Barbara Morgan

author

American^[4] b. 8 July 1900, Buffalo, Kansas^[1,3] d. 17 August 1992, Sleepy Hollow, New York^[2] active 1925–1980

Barbara Morgan (born Barbara Brooks Johnson) was an American photographer and artist renowned for her pioneering work in dance photography. She is particularly celebrated for her long-term collaboration with modern dancer Martha Graham, capturing the essence of contemporary dance through 'psychological lighting' and rhythmic compositions. A co-founder of Aperture magazine, Morgan also worked as a painter, printmaker, and educator at UCLA. Her artistic practice was deeply influenced by both Southwestern landscapes and the avant-garde movements in New York City. She is recognized for her ability to synthesize light, movement, and form into evocative visual narratives.^[5]

• dance photography
• modern dance
• light drawing
• photomontage