Provenance

William Carter

American, born 1934

Explore selected works

See all 11 works of art
The image shows a small child standing with their back to the camera, arms stretched upward towards a large worn wall. The child is wearing a dark dress with a patterned skirt, dark hair reaching their shoulders, and dark shoes. The background consists of a dimly lit outdoor setting with a concrete or stucco wall, a narrow pole, and a utility box on the left side. The ground is paved and worn, with faint markings or graffiti on the wall.
William Carter, Lower East Side, New York City, 1963, printed 2006, gelatin silver print, Gift of the Artist, 2012.117.2

Lower East Side, New York City

William Carter · 1963, printed 2006 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2012.117.2

This is a photograph of a staircase with a person climbing up it while carrying a large, textured bag. The scene is captured in black and white, focusing on the dynamic motion of the figure ascending the stairs. The staircase has simple iron railings and the setting indicates an indoor environment, possibly in a residential or public building. A round light fixture above illuminates the scene, casting a soft glow on the walls. The angle of the photograph is tilted, enhancing the sense of movement and adding an element of abstraction to the composition.
William Carter, East Sixth Street, New York City, 1962, printed 2006, gelatin silver print, Gift of the Artist, 2012.117.7

East Sixth Street, New York City

William Carter · 1962, printed 2006 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2012.117.7

This is a photograph of an urban alleyway. The image captures a black-and-white street view of a worn-down, desolate block, partially covered with debris. The foreground showcases a dark, gritty yard with a section of bare earth and stones, while an industrial brick building looms on the left side, its windows looking aged and neglected. In the middle ground, a figure appears to be running or leaping across the scene. The opposite side of the alley accommodates another building, displaying a few windows, one of which is open. In the background, there is graffiti on the walls alongside clothes hanging from lines. A small group is seated on steps leading into another structure.
William Carter, Lower East Side, New York City, 1963, printed 2006, gelatin silver print, Gift of the Artist, 2012.117.3

Lower East Side, New York City

William Carter · 1963, printed 2006 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2012.117.3

This is a black-and-white photograph of a nighttime urban street scene. It shows a dimly lit street with streetlights and buildings illuminated in the background. A classic car is parked along the side of the road to the right, and a sign reading "BEAUTY PARLOR" is visible on the left side of the photograph. The perspective is from a street-level vantage point looking down the street with a building line receding into the distance. The photograph has a grainy quality. The overall composition and lighting create a sense of movement, as if viewed while walking through the city at night.
William Carter, East Side, New York City, 1963, printed 2006, gelatin silver print, Gift of the Artist, 2012.117.8

East Side, New York City

William Carter · 1963, printed 2006 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2012.117.8

Three individuals are shown from the back, standing closely together and facing a storefront with a wire mesh covering the window. They are all upright, slightly leaning forward, with their hands resting against the mesh and peering inside. The person on the left wears a striped shirt with rolled-up sleeves and white pants with a belt. The person in the middle wears a solid-colored top and jeans, while the person on the right wears a plaid shirt and dark trousers, with short hairstyles. The background shows a storefront with signage at the bottom, reading phrases like “Value” and indicating a sale. The ground appears to be a patterned surface, possibly a sidewalk.
William Carter, Oakland, California, 1961, gelatin silver print, Gift of the Artist, 2012.117.9

Oakland, California

William Carter · 1961 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2012.117.9

This is a photograph of a chess game being played on a park bench. The image shows a close-up of a chess board set on a stone table with two benches. The pieces are arranged on the board in a strategic manner. In the background, there is a concrete pathway, additional benches, and trees. The setting appears to be a public park. People are seen observing and contemplating the game. The photograph captures various textures such as stone, wood, and foliage, all in monochrome.
William Carter, Midtown, New York City, 1963, gelatin silver print, Gift of the Artist, 2012.117.6

Midtown, New York City

William Carter · 1963 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2012.117.6

The image shows a young girl lying on a four-poster bed with floral-patterned bedding. She is curled up on her side, facing towards the camera, with one arm under her head and the other resting beside her. She has light-colored hair and is wearing a short-sleeved shirt, shorts, socks, and shoes. The bed is decorated with ruffled fabric and floral patterns. On a small side table to the right, there is a rag doll and a small clock. Two large windows framed by light curtains are visible in the background.
William Carter, Atherton, California, 1972, printed c. 1980, gelatin silver print, Gift of the Artist, 2012.117.10

Atherton, California

William Carter · 1972, printed c. 1980 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2012.117.10

This is a photograph of an alleyway bordered by old earthen buildings. The image captures a narrow passageway lined with tall, textured walls that appear to be made of adobe or a similar material, leading to a distant view of a small, arched entrance. The buildings reflect a traditional architectural style with smooth, curved edges and high walls. At the center of the image, a black garment contrasts starkly with the pale surroundings. The alley is further characterized by an overhead utility pole with wires stretching across the frame. Shadows and light interplay across the surfaces.
William Carter, Yazd, Iran, 1998, gelatin silver print, Gift of the Artist, 2012.117.11

Yazd, Iran

William Carter · 1998 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2012.117.11

This is a photograph of a brick building facade with a metal fire escape. The building has several windows, most of which are framed with old, peeling paint, and some have window boxes with plants. The fire escape is a prominent feature, running vertically and horizontally across the wall. The surface of the building's exterior shows the texture and wear of aged brick. The alleyway is scattered with debris, and there are markings or graffiti on the ground-level door.
William Carter, Lower East Side, New York City, 1963, printed 2006, gelatin silver print, Gift of the Artist, 2012.117.5

Lower East Side, New York City

William Carter · 1963, printed 2006 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2012.117.5

This is a photo of an empty urban courtyard surrounded by brick buildings. The environment features weathered brick walls, clotheslines with laundry, a patchy dirt ground with debris, and graffiti on one of the walls. Residential windows with metal bars and a fire escape are visible on the left. The photo displays shadows, light contrast, and textures of the bricks.
William Carter, Lower East Side, New York City, 1963, printed 2006, gelatin silver print, Gift of the Artist, 2012.117.4

Lower East Side, New York City

William Carter · 1963, printed 2006 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2012.117.4

Bibliography

2011

  • Carter 2011