Courtesy of the Collection of Robert E. Jackson
It used to be easy to be patriotic. Now in this irony-laced age with its pervading sense of fatalism, apathy and cynicism, "love of country" seems passé or old-fashioned. While patriotism today is often solely equated with a love of guns and the freedom to bear arms, it should be more than that. It should be about pride in the values that this country claimed to be founded on, not prejudicial nationalism and the closing of our borders and isolationism. We must be able to live among a mix of cultures, races and religions if our country is to survive as a great nation. Respect and love and the ability to listen to different viewpoints is an important goal for all of us citizens to aspire to. I hope these photos from my collection give a brief, optimistic pause during this patriotic holiday and show a positive and somewhat humorous side to patriotism.
- Robert E. Jackson
Courtesy of the Collection of Robert E. Jackson
Courtesy of the Collection of Robert E. Jackson
Courtesy of the Collection of Robert E. Jackson
Courtesy of the Collection of Robert E. Jackson
Courtesy of the Collection of Robert E. Jackson
Courtesy of The Collection of Robert E. Jackson
Courtesy of the Collection of Robert E. Jackson
Courtesy of the Collection of Robert E. Jackson
Courtesy of the Collection of Robert E. Jackson
Bio:
Robert E. Jackson has collected snapshots since 1997. In the fall of 2007, his collection was the subject of a show and catalogue entitled “The Art of the American Snapshot: 1888-1978” which was on view at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. In early 2008, the show traveled to the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. A second book featuring his collection was entitled “Pure Photography.” It was published in late 2011 by Ampersand Gallery & Fine Books in Portland, Oregon and included sixty images chosen by Jackson to embody the non-narrative aspect of snapshot photography. There was also an accompanying exhibition at Ampersand. In addition, over twenty of his photos were included in the 2011 bestselling young adult book “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” by Ransom Riggs. In October of 2012, Seattle based Marquand Books published photos from Jackson’s color snapshot collection in the book “The Seduction of Color.” In June of 2013, Pace/MacGill Gallery in New York City featured his collection in a show entitled “Snap Noir: Snapshot Stories.” His collection has also been featured online on Slate, Design Observer, HAFNY, and PetaPixel. Jackson holds a MA degree in art history from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and a MBA from the University of Texas, Austin.