Once Upon A Time

By Elin Spring

The venerable phrase “once upon a time” is a trustworthy trigger for children of all ages to ready their imaginations for new experiences and other worlds. This is the premise of Once Upon A Time: Photographs that Inspire Tall Tales, the enchanting group exhibit curated by outgoing Griffin Museum Executive Director Paula Tognarelli at the Griffin Museum’s Lafayette Gallery at City Center in Boston’s Downtown Crossing, on view through February 19^th, 2022.

“Unison” by Meg Birnbaum, courtesy of the artist.

This huge exhibition presents photographs of every genre and format, from B&W documentary images to color photo montages. It includes representational and abstract imagery, encompassing both realistic and fantastical subjects, from landscape to portraiture. The common thread throughout is mystery. Every image prompts viewers to ask what happened preceding or following the moments frozen in time before us. It is an engaging diversion from the dark, chilly days of winter when we yearn for light and magic. Here we present some of our favorite photographs on view, each begging for a story. We hope you have a chance to visit – in person or online – discover images that intrigue you, and perhaps accept the invitation to offer a written narrative. Scroll down to find out how you can share your own “once upon a time.”

“Untitled 18” by Marsha Guggenheim, courtesy of the artist.

“Night Vision” by Sara Silks, courtesy of the artist.

“Snowy Egret” from the series Antique Aviary by Dianne Yudelson, courtesy of the artist.

“What I Remember” by Sarah Hadley, courtesy of the artist.

“Untitled, Newbury, MA, 2016” by William Franson, courtesy of the artist and Gallery Kayafas, Boston.

“The Thicket” by Sandy Hill, courtesy of the artist.

“A Fond Farewell” by Joni Lohr, courtesy of the artist.

“Moving On” by Maureen Haldeman, courtesy of the artist.

“Flight” by Joan Haseltine, courtesy of the artist.

“Girl with the Unicorn Hat” by Suzanne Williamson, courtesy of the artist.

“Into the Roses” by Nathalie Seaver, courtesy of the artist.

“Untitled” by Leslie Jean-Bart, courtesy of the artist.

Feature Image: “Becoming Light” by Lisa Ryan, courtesy of the artist.

“The House that Grandma Built” by Cheryl Clegg, courtesy of the artist.

The following photographers each have one image in the exhibition: Mary Aiu, Jan Arrigo, Joan Barker, Carson Barnes, Andrea Birnbaum, Meg Birnbaum, Lora Brody, Sally Chapman, Diana Cheren Nygren, Jaina Cipriano, Cheryl Clegg, Ashley Craig, L. Aviva Diamond, Suzette Dushi, Steven Edson, Diane Fenster, Kev Filmore, Alexa Frangos, William Franson, Carole Glauber, Nadide Goksun, Elizabeth Greenberg, Sarah Hadley, Maureen Haldeman, Julie Hamel, Joan Haseltine, Sandy Hill, Mark Indig, Carol Isaak, Leslie Jean-Bart, Diana Nicholette Jeon, Marcy Juran, Asia Kepka, Karen Klinedinst, Anne Kornfeld, Anna Litvak-Hinenzon, Marcia Lloyd, Joni Lohr, Bruce Magnuson, George McClintock, Yvette Meltzer, Ralph Mercer, Judith Montminy, Charlotte Niel, Steven Parisi-Gentile, Ave Pildas, Russ Rowland, Ellen Royalty, Lisa Ryan, Nathalie Seaver, Sarah Silks, Felice Simon, Elin O’Hara Slavick, Zachary Stephens, Vicky Stromee, Stefanie Timmermann, Leanne Trivett, Vicki Whicker, Suzanne Williamson, Dianne Yudelson, Nina Weinberg Doran, Joanne Zeis, Mike Zeis and Charlyn Zlotnik.

“Babydolls” by Diana Cheren Nygren, courtesy of the artist.

“Rebels” by Zachary P. Stephens, courtesy of the artist.

There will be an Opening Reception for the exhibit on January 9^th, 2022, when three cash prizes will be awarded for photography. For the first time, the Museum is inviting viewers to invent stories about an image they find engaging. Writing jurors will select three cash prize winners for essays submitted by January 14^th, 2022 and the Griffin will host a presentation event at the museum on January 30^th, 2022.  For details, go to: https://griffinmuseum.org/show/once-upon-a-time-photographs-that-inspire-tall-tales/

“One Day Like the Next” by Charlotte Niel, courtesy of the artist.

“Sisters” by Asia Kepka, courtesy of the artist.

“It’s Tough” by Jaina Cipriano, courtesy of the artist.