His work has drawn modest yet respectful attention in recent decades and new interest was generated after the discovery of his vintage prints.

For nearly 40 years the population and visitors of Heber Springs, a small town in rural Arkansas, could visit his Main Street studio to have their portrait photos taken. Disfarmer’s portraits – size postcard – depictured the townspeople from the American countryside. Disfarmer’s clients were a cross-section of the population of Heber Springs: farmers in overalls, adolescents in prom attire and housewives in flowered dresses: they all posed for photos that mainly found their way into desk drawers. These ‘penny portraits’ became more than just regular photos, but during their debut as art, art professionals and critics praised his photography for capturing the essence of a particular era in America’s history.

PROGRAMME
Broaden your world on the day that annually reminds us of the right of freedom for every human being. For each paid participation Foam invites a refugee for the afternoon, who will join for lunch and the workshop. After a casual introduction during lunch, a workshop portrait photography starts, in which you get to know each other better and learn more about creating portraits. The results can be taken home as a memento of this special day. The selected refugees have indicated to have an interest in photography.

Foam provides basic compact cameras for this workshop. Of course, you are free to use your own camera if you prefer. In that case, remember to bring a fully charged battery, an empty SD card and a transfer cable. The use of your own materials is at your own risk.

This Liberation Day event is organized in collaboration with Photo Club Havenstraat, the Amsterdam Committee 4 and 5 May and Abel.