robin w bailey
photo by Sarah Clements
statement
As a photographer whose work is grounded in the presentation of quintessential scenes of Midwestern towns and neighborhoods, I am focused on exploring the surviving vestiges of America’s mid-20th-century heartland. It was a time when the Midwest was comprised of myriad small towns constructed around thriving manufacturing entities and their supporting neighborhoods.
The images presented here are part of an on-going project entitled: Our Town… fading glimpses of the Midwest. This project focuses on providing a topographical presentation of turn-of-the-century through the 1940s, Midwest vernacular architecture as it appears today. This work is about survivors— those buildings and neighborhoods that have somehow persisted amidst the constant pressure of economic decline, urban revitalization, demolition, and the continuing loss of the Midwest’s unique identity.
Rooted in a documentary style derived from the Farm Security Administration photographic project of the 1930s and ’40s, these images are formal, impartial views of the Midwest, which quietly emote a sense of home. And, though devoid of people, these images overflow with a human presence that is palpable. This work is an attempt at preservation— preservation of my childhood growing up in the 1950s and ’60s in the Midwest.
Seen through my childhood eyes, these nostalgic scenes are steeped in the unique ambiance of the Midwest. Here are glimpses of the tree-lined streets; the neighborhood houses; the corner stores and the downtown stores all waiting to be explored. Much like the Midwest, these simple quiet scenes evoke a sense of modesty and subtleness, allowing the viewer to appreciate the commonplace— sprinkled with glimpses of beauty, intrigue, humor and love.
photo by Sarah Clements
bio / cv
robin w bailey (b. 1953)
I am a midwestern photographer who works primarily in a black and white documentary style, intent on preserving the surviving vestiges of America's mid-20th-century heartland. I am a product of the Midwest, being born and raised in the industrial towns of Northeastern Ohio. I was born into a working-class family where both my father and mother worked to provide for our family.
I attended Kent State University and graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in English literature in 1976. I have recently retired to focus on my personal photographic work after having enjoyed an eclectic career ranging from: foundry worker; bike shop manager; research lab technician; foundry engineer, magazine editor; public relations, and marketing professional, as well as photographer.
As an artist, I am primarily self-taught driven by a desire to create and investigate the world and the practice of photography. Over the years I have attended workshops with photographers, such as Frank Gohlke, David Bayles, Linda Conner, Eva Rubinstein, Olivia Parker, Larry Fink and others.
In the last few years, my work has been seen here:
2023— Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts, Providence, RI
2023— Quad City Arts Gallery, Rock Island, IL
2023— Center for Photographic Art, Members' Juried Exhibition, Carmel, CA
2023— Spiva Center for the Arts, photospiva, Joplin, MO
2023— SAGE Community Arts, 8th Annual Natl. Juried Show, Sheraton, WY
2023— reFocus Black and White Photo
2023— CoPA’s 13th Annual Juried Members Exhibition, Milwaukee, WI
2022— Photo Midwest Festival, Madison, WI
2022— Spiva Center for the Arts, photospiva, Joplin, MO
2021— Spiva Center for the Arts, Individual Show and artist talk, Joplin, MO
2021— Spiva Center for the Arts, photospiva – first, body of work, Joplin, MO
2021— The Center for Fine Art Photography, Fort Collins, Co portfolio
2020— Spiva Center for the Arts, photospiva – merit award, Joplin, MO
