REFLECTIONS THE BOOK
THE REASON I WANTED TO CREATE REFLECTION IMAGES OF PEOPLE 70 YEARS OLD AND UP WAS TO EXPERIENCE THEIR KNOWLEDGE, HISTORY, AND LIFE FIRSTHAND BEFORE THEY MOVED ON TO GLORY.
REFLECTIONS
Accompanied by Tar’s personal written memoirs of his photo shoots, REFLECTIONS is a creative collaboration of dialogue between Tar and his subjects that culminates in an intimate experience that he shares for all to learn and enjoy.
In each photographic image, a mirror is strategically placed and the subject is reflected in it.
It is currently included in such prestigious collections as The Smithsonian Libraries, Yale University, Columbia University, Princeton University, Museum of Contemporary Photography.
- Profiles Include -
THE NICHOLAS BROTHERS
They appeared with all the greats of their time: Duke Ellington, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Dorothy Dandridge, Glenn Miller, Louis Armstrong, Don Ameche, Betty Grable, Fats Waller, Katherine Dunham, Bob Hope, Lena Horne–the list goes on and on.
B.B.
KING
“Hello,” he said. “What can I do for you young man?”
I took the moment to explain how I wanted to create an image of him.
DOROTHY PORTER- WESLEY
I told her who I was and why I was there. “You’re early.” “Should I wait in the car?” I asked.
“No,” she said, unlocking her screen door. “Come on in. Let’s get this over with.”
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Exhibitions / Lecture
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2025: Plattsburgh State Art Museum (New York)
August Wilson African American Cultural Center (Pittsburgh)
2023: The Gordon Parks Foundation (New York)
The African American Museum in Philadelphia
2020: Wright Museum of Art (Wisconsin)
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2019: Chicago Cultural Center
Rich Township High School (Chicago)
Bridgeport Art Gallery (Chicago)
DeVos Place for the Shades of Blackness Art Exhibition
(Grand Rapids, MI)
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2025: Plattsburgh State Art Museum (New York)
August Wilson African American Cultural Center (Pittsburgh)
2023: The Gordon Parks Foundation (New York)
The African American Museum in Philadelphia
2020: Wright Museum of Art (Wisconsin)
2019: Chicago Cultural Center
Rich Township High School (Chicago)
Bridgeport Art Gallery (Chicago)
DeVos Place for the Shades of Blackness Art Exhibition (Grand Rapids, MI)
2018: The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture
Charles H. Wright Museum (Michigan)
Galeria Valid Foto Bcn (Barcelona, Spain)
African American Museum of Nassau County (New York)
2017: Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University (New Jersey)
Northern Illinois University Art Museum
Carnegie Hall (New York)
2016: Merrill Lynch (New York)
University of Wisconsin
The DuSable Museum of African American History (Chicago)
Na Kashirke Gallery (Moscow)
2015: Smithsonian Institute (New York)
Louvre (Paris)
The Beverly Art Center (Chicago)
DePaul University (Chicago)
The Union League Club in Chicago (Chicago)
2014: The Grand Rapids Art Museum
Galerie Myrtis- Emergence 2014: International Artists to Watch
The Chicago State University
Parkland University, (Champaign, Illinois)
2013: The DuSable Museum of African American History (Chicago)
Crete Elementary School, Crete, Illinois
UICA in Grand Rapids
ArtPrize
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Grants / Awards
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2018: Barcelona International Photography Awards
2017: The New York Portfolio review winner
2016: Second Avenue Arts... Collectors Show / SPRING 2016 (the only Photography along with 29 paintings)
2015: The semifinalist round of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship Competition
2016: Chicago Artadia Awards Finalist
Dave Bown Projects - 10th Semiannual Competition
(Curators: Claire C. Carter, Carmen Hermo, Anna Stothart) Honorable Mention.
The City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE),
Individual Artists Program (IAP) Creative Projects Grant Award
The semifinalist round of the Smithsonian Institute Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition
2014: Black Creativity: Best of Media in the Photography & Video
@ The Museum of Science and Industry. (Chicago)
Art Prize: Honorable Mention at the first Paul Collins Diversity Award in Grand Rapids. Mi
2012: Bombay Sapphire Art Contest: the Reflections image of Gordon Parks.
2011: Curate NYC competition: the Reflections image of Lionel Hampton 1st place.
100 images selected from over 1500 entries.