Consider this exhibition a love letter to Baltimore.
A photographic walk through the hometown of native Tom Gregory is now on exhibit at the Lobby Gallery, Blakeslee Advertising, 916 North Charles St., through Dec. 27. One look and you’ll recognize the same crisp, clear work that has won Gregory fame in many arenas, including well-known photographic posters of Baltimore.
“I was living in California and came back home to help my father [raise my young siblings] after my mother died,” said Gregory of his return to Federal Hill in the mid -970s.
“It was karma. That’s when things started happening for me.”
Gregory, a graduate of masters programs at Maryland Institute of Art, began dual careers as an artist and educator. As such, it’s his hope this exhibit shows many facets of the city and the changes through the 30 years since he returned.
“This isn’t only a walk through Baltimore, but awalk through technology,” said Gregory, discussing the mixed media pieces, documentary project images and recent digital photography that is on display.
“I selected pieces that illustrate what I have seen in the change in technology between film and … digital.”
But when it comes down to it, the show is really about some of Gregory’s best-loved images of the city.
There’s the Photoshop-manipulated piece that took the word “Believe” that was ballyhooed around the city as a way to change social behavior.
In Gregory’s digitally manipulated photo, the banner now reads “Beehive,” a reference to the infamous beehive hairdos that have become synonymous with 1960s Baltimore in many Hollywood films.
There’s also a photo of “Duke and Tiny,” who were well-known bouncers at The 8×10 Club.
“Everyone knew them because of their size and demeanors,” said Gregory of the men, who are now deceased.
Tom Wilson, creative director at Blakeslee, said that the characterization of Baltimore, in all its quirky glory, is what convinced him to host the exhibit. “Tom has an interesting outlook on the landscape,” said Wilson. “It is quite unique.”
Take, for example, the Squeegee boys, who were photographed on a break from their work in the North Avenue section of the city, circa 1988. “That was a real slice of life back then,” said Gregory.
It lives on in this exhibition.
IF YOU GO
» What: Tom Gregory Exhibition
» Where: Blakeslee Advertising, 916 N. Charles St.
» Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
» Date: Now through Dec. 27
» Admission: Free
» For more details: tomgregoryartist.com/about.html
