Biography

Frank Gohlke, born on April 3, 1942, is a prominent American landscape photographer known for his insightful exploration of human-altered landscapes. Over a career spanning nearly five decades, Gohlke has become a significant figure in the field of photography, particularly noted for his participation in the influential 1975 exhibition "New Topographics: Photographs of a Man-Altered Landscape." This exhibition marked a turning point in landscape photography by focusing on the ordinary and industrial aspects of the environment, challenging traditional notions of beauty in the genre. Gohlke's work often captures the intersection of natural and human-made environments, as seen in his series on grain elevators in the American Midwest and the aftermath of a tornado in Wichita Falls, Texas. His photographs of the changing landscapes around Mount St. Helens and the agricultural regions of central France further demonstrate his keen eye for detail and narrative. Gohlke's contributions to photography have been recognized with prestigious awards, including two Guggenheim Fellowships and a Fulbright Scholar Grant. His works are held in major collections such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Art Institute of Chicago, making them highly sought after by collectors and institutions alike.