By Elin Spring
Artists stand on the shoulders of their mentors, a springboard to their own creative evolution. When Bell Pitkin, gallery manager at Leica Boston wanted to mount an intergenerational show centered around Boston, it was a natural choice to pay tribute to Constantine Manos, the Leica camera champion and Magnum photographer who died this January at age 90. Manos was a mentor to many, including Boston-based photographer Stella Johnson, who is in turn a mentor to Iaritza Menjivar, giving rise to the exhibition “Seeing Across Generations,” on view at Leica Gallery Boston through September 14th, 2025.
“Sunday Afternoon Gathering of Friends, Franklin Park, Boston, MA” 1976, from the series Bostonians by Constantine Manos, courtesy of Robert Klein Gallery, Boston.
“School’s Out for Summer, Revere Beach, MA” 2021 by Stella Johnson, courtesy of the artist and Leica Gallery Boston.
“Calma, Saugus, MA” 2025, by Iaritza Menjivar, courtesy of the artist and Leica Gallery Boston.
What do the photographs of Constantine Manos, Stella Johnson and Iartiza Menjivar share? As the children or grandchildren of immigrants to the United States, all three artists have straddled two cultures. Their work expresses a visceral emotional kinship that may well find its roots in their obvious empathy for people from disparate backgrounds. As an admirer of Henri Cartier-Bresson, Manos was similarly devoted to recording the “decisive moment,” a trait carried forward into images by Stella Johnson and with some departure in the imagery of Iaritza Menjivar. Perhaps most importantly, and certainly most interestingly, they all focus on people. The parallels and differences between the work of these photographers across three generations exemplifies an entrancing theme with superb photographs.
“American Legion Memorial Day Services, Mattapan, Boston, MA” 1976, from the series Bostonians by Constantine Manos, courtesy of Robert Klein Gallery, Boston.
“Man Sunning Himself on4th of July, Government Center, Boston, MA” 1976, from the series Bostonians by Constantine Manos, courtesy of Robert Klein Gallery, Boston.
“Lining Up for Shriners’ Parade, South End, Boston, MA” 1976, from the series Bostonians by Constantine Manos, courtesy of Robert Klein Gallery, Boston.
The exhibit features Constantine Manos’ early B&W photographs from the “Bostonians” (1970’s) and “Portrait of a Symphony” (1960’s) series, drawn from the holdings of Robert Klein Gallery in Boston. Whether focusing on gatherings or individuals, Manos’ compositions often draw the eye to particularly fascinating subjects, a foreshadowing of his later color work. His photographs typically include activity but emphasize the interaction of visual elements, rather than overt drama. It is a real treat to view these original gelatin silver photographs handprinted by Manos. They underline his deep connection to Boston and accentuate the intergenerational motif of the exhibit.
“Charles Munch Conducting the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston” 1960, from the series Portrait of a Symphony by Constantine Manos, courtesy of Robert Klein Gallery, Boston.
“Child at Shrine of St. Lazarus Church, East Boston, MA” 1974, from the series Bostonians by Constantine Manos, courtesy of Robert Klein Gallery, Boston.
Feature Image: “Roller Skate Dance Plaza, Venice Beach, CA” 2022 by Stella Johnson, courtesy of the artist and Leica Gallery Boston.
Stella Johnson is exhibiting recent color photographs (2021-2022), expanding our view from Boston across the U.S. and into Oaxaca, Mexico, where she created B&W work (2023-2024). Johnson’s color photographs are aligned with Manos’ famous work from his “American Color” series, especially in their vibrancy and focus on a fleeting instant.
“Seagull, Revere Beach, MA” 2021, by Stella Johnson, courtesy of the artist and Leica Gallery Boston.
Like Manos, she can pull individuals from congregations of people, captivating viewers with unusual perspectives and the play of shadows and light. In a departure from Manos, Johnson’s often off-kilter compositions are remarkably dramatic. However, her recent B&W images from Mexico introduce elements of mysticism, reminiscent of Manos’ musing sense of intrigue.
“Dance of the Devils, Oaxaca, Mexico” 2024, by Stella Johnson, courtesy of the artist and Leica Gallery Boston.
“Roots In My Garden, Saugus, MA” 2025, by Iaritza Menjivar, courtesy of the artist and Leica Gallery Boston.
“Terraformar, Saugus, MA” 2025, by Iaritza Menjivar, courtesy of the artist and Leica Gallery Boston.
In wistful color photographs, Iaritza Menjivar explores the emotional intersections between two cultures. Her compositions reflect the influence of Manos’ and Johnson’s dialog of color, shadows and light, but often with a more subdued palette. Her style extends fully into expressions of personal experience through metaphoric gestures, ethereal compositions and graceful suggestions of mystery. Menjivar’s nuanced and sensitive work further elevates the ethos of memoir currently evident in all forms of art.
“En Compañia del Mar, Playa de Necochea, Argentina” 2025, by Iaritza Menjivar, courtesy of the artist and Leica Gallery Boston.
“Seeing Across Generations” is an illuminating Boston-based history of photographic lineage. The narrative arc from Manos’ now nostalgic prints to Johnson’s and Menjivar’s contemporary visions share an empathy that is timeless. On view at Leica Gallery Boston through September 14th, 2025.
For more information, go to: https://www.instagram.com/leicagalleryboston/
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