The Four Virtues- Fatherhood
Eli Williamson’s ‘Four Virtues’ exhibit highlights loving Black fathers
The Daily Northwestern
Jack Austin, Senior Staffer
February 9, 2023
Southside photographer Eli Williamson documents loving fathers with their children in everyday settings. Williamson said the mission of his exhibit is to highlight and change the “negative stereotypical perception of Black fathers.”
Continue Reading Here: https://dailynorthwestern.com/2023/02/09/ae/eli-williamsons-four-virtues-exhibit-highlights-loving-black-fathers/
The First Virtue: Eli Williamson’s “The Four Virtues” at Evanston Art Center
New City Art
By SUSAN AURINKO
Janurary 26, 2023
There is an urban myth that Black men make terrible fathers: absent, violent and a host of other extreme fictions. South Side photographer and activist Eli Williamson begs to differ. In this small but powerful exhibition, where each photograph is titled “FatherHood,” Williamson proves his point. He gives us, in these images, proof that it just isn’t so—that there are plenty of loving, nurturing, caring fathers in the Black community.
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The Four Virtues- Work
Work, Love and Respect: A Review of Eli Williamson’s “The Second Virtue” at Evanston Art Center
New City Art
BY SUSAN AURINKO
February 2, 2024
With the second of his quartet of continuing exhibitions, Eli Williamson examines the topic of “Work” and its relation to Black men. I had the pleasure of reviewing his first installment a year ago. Williamson has matured as a photographer, and yet retained the same zealous need to tell a story in opposition to common misconceptions about Black men, in this case the myth that they are unmotivated or lazy, and don’t like to work. I came away from the show with a new respect for all the jobs, from menial to white-collar, that Williamson shows in this series and a desire to walk through the world attentive to Black men at their labors.
Continue Reading Here: https://art.newcity.com/2024/02/02/work-love-and-respect-a-review-of-eli-williamsons-the-second-virtue-at-evanston-art-center/
The Four Virtues- Wonder
Abbreviated Youth: A Review of Eli Williamson at Evanston Art Center
by Susan Aurinko | January 23, 2025
In the third installment of his “Four Virtues Series,” Eli Williamson explores Black childhood, more specifically, Black boyhood.
Continue reading here: https://art.newcity.com/2025/01/23/abbreviated-youth-a-review-of-eli-williamson-at-evanston-art-center/
Evanston Art Center’s “The Four Virtues: Wonder” explores Afro-American diaspora, experience of Black men and boys
by Clare Kirwan, Assistant Design Editor January 28, 2025
In 2016, street photographer Eli Williamson found himself on the New York City metro across from a Black father who had fallen asleep with his daughter on his lap and son curled up next to him. With his Panasonic camera, Williamson quietly snapped pictures of the family.
As a father of two, Williamson said it was powerful to see another Black man simply going through his day.
Continue reading here: https://dailynorthwestern.com/2025/01/28/uncategorized/evanston-art-centers-the-four-virtues-wonder-explores-afro-american-diaspora-experience-of-black-men-and-boys/