Brooks Johnson was the founding curator of photography at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia. He began his tenure at the museum in December 1977 and served as a key figure in developing its photographic collection for over 28 years. During his career, he was recognized for his 'visionary approach' to assembling photographs and bringing overlooked gems into the museum's permanent holdings. Johnson is also known for editing several significant anthologies of photography, including the 'Photography Speaks' series, which features personal reflections from numerous prominent photographers on their craft. After leaving the Chrysler Museum in 2008, he transitioned into other professional roles, including a position as Director of Development at Harmony Investments, Inc.[1,2,4,5]
Photography Speaks: 66 Photographers on Their Art1989 · Aperture / The Chrysler Museum of Art · book · EnglishFirst volume in the series.
Photography Speaks II: 76 Photographers on Their Art1995 · Aperture / The Chrysler Museum of Art · book · EnglishISBN 9780893816520The book in question.
Photography Speaks: 150 Photographers On Their Art2004 · Aperture Foundation / Chrysler Museum of Art · book · EnglishExpanded version.
Exhibitions
1990The Portrait in Americasolo
References
Visionary Approach to Assembling Photographs. The Virginian-Pilot. 2006 link
Photography curator at the Chrysler Museum leaves post. The Virginian-Pilot. 2008 link
Photography Speaks: 66 Photographers on Their Art. Google Books. 1989 link
Chrysler Museum of Art. Encyclopedia Virginia link
