Faulkner's Geographies: A Photographic Journey

Faulkner’s Geographies: A Photographic Journey

Considered as one of the most prolific writers of the 20^th century, William Faulkner is known for his powerful and artistically unique contribution to the modern American novel. He gained fame for his novels based in the fictional “Yoknapatawpha County”, in which he had patterned after his hometown of Oxford, MS. Classics such as, “The Sound and the Fury,” “As I Lay Dying,” and “Absalom, Absalom!” reflected the use of a remarkable range of technique, theme, and tone.

The history and traditions of the South was a favorite theme of Faulkner’s in which he expressed in a lot of his stories.

This same theme is also evident in a new exhibit at the University of Mississippi Museum titled, “Faulkner’s Geographies: A Photographic Journey” running until Saturday, Oct1.

The exhibit presents photographs from the permanent collection of Archives and Special Collections of the University of Mississippi Library and the University Museum. Aside from the southern theme of over half of the photographs displayed, they also show a very human side of Faulkner many have yet to see. While Faulkner is shown at work, he is also portrayed in leisure and with family and friends. He can be seen on his horse, Tempy, flashing a rare smile and sitting in his library at Rowan Oak, seemingly at peace.

The collection also shows black and white images of different surroundings that inspired his work, such as a picture of the Faulkner farm where he went to write and a picture of a black boy and white boy running through a straw field.

“The history and traditions of the South was a favorite theme of Faulkner’s in which he expressed in a lot of his stories.”

Obviously spanning Faulkner’s career and humble beginnings, the exhibit comes to a close with a mixture of black and white and color images chronicling Faulkner’s tour to Nagano, Japan in Aug 1955. He is shown posing with Japanese women, monks, and children. He can also be seen observing the Buddhist Zenkoji Temple and standing in a deserted street, in blank awe.

The presentation of this exhibit comes at a good time for students and visitors alike.

William Griffith, curator of Rowan Oak, explains why this was the right time to present Faulkner’s Geographies.

“During this time of the year, the annual Faulkner writing conference is held and we wanted to intertwine both events to give everybody a chance to see these rare images as well and participate in the conference,” he said.

http://museum.olemiss.edu/files/2011/05/fg_fpg.jpg

The main image in this link shows William Faulkner standing in front of his home, Rowan Oak, looking off in the distance. This is one of the many photographs shown at the exhibit “Faulkner’s Geographies: A Photographic Journey” ongoing at the University of Mississippi Museum until Oct 1.