Thursday, December 7, 2017

Nationally Known Photographer Thomas Sanders Speaks at MTSU

By David Delgado
Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

            MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Portrait and landscape Photographer Thomas Sanders spoke to students and faculty at Middle Tennessee State University on Nov. 9, telling them that “Photographing and honoring the veterans act as a an opportunity for them to tell their story.”
            Sanders has received national notoriety for a touring exhibition of photos called “American Heroes: Portraits of Service.” He traveled the country photographing and interviewing hundreds of veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
            More than 50 students and faculty gathered in the BAS State Farm Room at 6:30 p.m. to hear Sanders describe his war-related work and share some of the stories of the veterans he photographed. Storytelling has always been part of Sanders’ life. He was deeply inspired by his grandfather, who also dedicated his life and career to photography.

Photo by David Delgado   
  “My grandfather was a professional photographer for part of his life,” said Sanders. “Storytelling has been part of my whole life because of him.”
Sanders has used a good portion of his work to honor World War II veterans. Sanders used PowerPoint to show present-day images of the vets he photographed. He shared moving stories if soldiers provided them. One of the first World War II Vets he interviewed, Randel Paris, pulled down his pants to show a scar in his lower abdomen. He received the scar during a battle in Italy. He witnessed his accompanying commander triggering an S-mine and dying instantly. During the battle, Randel triggered an S-mine himself. The shrapnel hit his stomach and his intestines came out. He took his canteen belt and cinched it around his stomach to survive.

Photo by David Delgado   
A place where Sanders draws inspiration comes from fellow photographers Jeff Wall and Pieter Hugo. When the lecture was done, Sanders opened himself up for questions about his life and work. Several members of the audience asked questions.
When asked what adversities he sometimes faces, the artist said, “Challenges I face would be language barriers, and sometimes I would photograph the vets and ask them if they wanted to do an interview. Sometimes they did not.”
He added that he enjoys photographing current soldiers as well and would love to do a book on all of the wars. 
            Attendees were invited to visit the Baldwin Photographic Gallery at the College of Media and Entertainment to see the photos featured in his PowerPoint presentation. Many students snapped pictures while admiring the art with the people who organized the event. There was also a line to speak to Sanders and get autographs.

Photo by David Delgado   
The Baldwin Photographic Gallery hosts up to four exhibitions each academic year,” said event organizer Jackie Heigle, curator and associate professor of photography. “It is important for the students to experience exhibitions of photographic works on and off campus, and to hear the stories of these ‘real world’ photographers who might inspire the students more directly to be aware of the challenges and the rewards of hard work, business acumen, and personal style." 
“I think he is a very interesting photographer who has done well in the span for himself,” said Andrew Miller, an MTSU student who attended the event. “I think the pieces are wonderful and very high quality. I love the expressions and the life you can feel coming from them. I hope this is a tribute that can live on to honor and memorialize these people and their place in history. For better or for worse, documenting history is important from an event standpoint as well as an individual.”  

Photo by David Delgado       
            To stay connected and learn about other events that are going on at MTSU, including the Photography Department, visit http://www.mtsu.edu/whatsup/ 

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