Larry Fink was a photographer and educator best known for how his images depicted the stark contrasts between the wealthy and the working classes at social events, often in black and white.
- Died: November 25, 2023 (Who else died on November 25?)
- Details of death: Died in Pennsylvania at the age of 82.
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Larry Fink’s legacy
A self-described “Marxist from Long Island” who grew up in a politically active household, Fink studied at New School for Social Research in New York City and almost immediately focused his work on divides in social and class structure. Often shot in black and white, he simultaneously depicted wealthy urbanites in upscale social situations alongside photos of semi-rural working-class people at proms, birthday parties, and family situations.
“Social Graces” is his best-known work, a collection of photos taken in the 1970s contrasting rich Manhattan residents with people from rural Pennsylvania. For the latter, he took photographs in his then hometown of Martins Creek, Pennsylvania, while also doing assignments in New York City for Vanity Fair, GQ, The New York Times, and other publications. A similar display in 2004 featured satirical images of prominent political figures, “The Forbidden Pictures: A Political Tableau,” and won rave reviews. Other works include “Focus Santa Barbara,” “The Forbidden Pictures: Photographs,” “Larry Fink: Attraction and Desire: 50 Years in Photography,” and “The Vanities: Hollywood Parties 2000–2009,” among many others.
Outside of his photography, Fink taught at Bard College, New York University, Yale University School of Art, Parsons School of Design, and others. His work has appeared at galleries across the world, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Fink has been awarded two Guggenheim Fellowships, an honorary doctorate from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, the Infinity Award in Art from the International Center of Photography, and other such honors.
Notable quote
“I wasn’t photographing for a career – I was photographing for the revolution.”—from a 2021 interview for Blind Magazine
Tributes to Larry Fink
Full obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
