Photo Genius Runs in the Family: Dr. Deborah Willis & Her Son Hank Willis Thomas


How bad a** is this? A Mom and Son photography legacy!

This is the stuff African American families are made of, but you would never see it on TV.

Dr. Deborah Willis is a professor and Chair at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, an accomplished fine art photographer, recipient of a 2000 MacArthur “genius” Fellowship.

Her son, Hank Willis Thomas, has an impressive photography career of his own. Check out the “Branded” and “Unbranded: Reflections in Black by Corporate America” featured on his website.

Morphing iconic commerical and historical imagery, Hank Willis Thomas’ work is art in action as social commentary on American consumerism and racial politics.

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  1. 1
    Danielle

    Get outta here, I had no idea that Hank Willis Thomas was Deborah Willis’ son! I love his work. I really like your blog, thank you for creating it. I read a ton of photo blogs and they only focus on a certain kind of demographic, just like the gallery scene. Anyways, I found your blog through Carla Williams’ website. Keep up the good work!

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