“Devotion: Photographs of Human Connection” Opens at Trinity College’s Austin Arts Center

Linnea Mayo ’26

Arts & Entertainment Editor

A new exhibition at Trinity College’s Austin Arts Center explores the timeless theme of human connection through the lens of 11 renowned photographers. “Devotion: Photographs from the Collection of the Watkinson Library” opened on Nov. 14 with a common hour reception, and featured a selection of striking silver prints drawn from the Watkinson Library’s extensive photography collection.

“The reception was well-attended by faculty, staff, students and some visitors from the community. It provided a wonderful opportunity to bring the campus together to celebrate the exhibition’s opening and learn more about it,” said Director and Organizing Curator for Widener Gallery Lisa Lynch when speaking to the Tripod. 

Lynch worked closely with curator Adrian Martinez Chavez, a Visiting Assistant Professor of Fine Arts at Trinity, in the exhibition planning process and handled various administrative and technical aspects of the exhibition planning. This included coordinating the framing and installation of the images, outreach to the Trinity community, producing gallery handouts and planning the reception.

During the reception, Martinez Chavez spoke about his curatorial process and his favorite photographs in the exhibition. Pablo Delano, Charles A Dana Professor of Fine Arts and Director of the Studio Arts Program, spoke about the photographs in the Collection of the Watkinson Library. “These informal gallery talks created an intimate atmosphere, perfect for an exhibition focusing on the connections between people and generations,” said Lynch. 

The exhibition showcases works by celebrated photographers including Mike Disfarmer, František Drtikol, Leonard Freed, Ken Heyman, Henry Horenstein, Leon Levinstein, Jacques Lowe, Danny Lyon, Erika Stone, Lou Stoumen and William Witt. Spanning images taken between 1925 and 1981, these photographs delve into the complexities of love, family, friendship and human care, capturing moments of connection that range from childhood to adulthood.

Martinez Chavez emphasized the profound relationship between photographer and subject. Martinez Chavez holds a BFA from the Hartford Art School and an MFA from the Yale School of Art. His work has been widely exhibited both regionally and nationally, with pieces included in prominent public and private collections, such as the Goldfarb Memorial Collection at the University of Hartford. 

Throughout his career, Martinez Chavez has received grants and awards from organizations including the Connecticut Office of the Arts, the Greater Hartford Arts Council, the New York Foundation for the Arts and the Houston Center for Photography.

From Erika Stone’s vibrant street scenes of children playing in New York City to Lou Stoumen’s tender depictions of couples in loving embraces, the “Devotion” exhibition offers a diverse view of human intimacy. The works on display highlight not only the visible affection between people, but also the often-subtle gestures and shared moments that define human bonds.

The collection, which has grown thanks to the generosity of donors Michael Mattis and Judith Hochberg, serves as a vital resource for students, faculty and the broader Trinity community. The photography offers an essential tool for understanding both the history of photography and the ways in which it continues to reflect the changing nature of human relationships.

The “Devotion” exhibition will remain free and open to the public from Monday to Saturday 1 – 5 p.m. until Dec. 9, 2024, and invites visitors to reflect on the universal theme of devotion.