New Exhibition Highlights Father Of American Surrealism

Photographer Clarence John Laughlin has been dubbed “The Father of American Surrealism.” His work is known for its atmospheric portrayal of decaying antebellum architecture.

Laughlin’s photos are on view at the High Museum as part of an exhibition called Strange Light. The exhibition surveys Laughlin’s work made between 1935 and 1965, The High began collecting Laughlin’s work in 1974 and “Strange Light: The Photography of Clarence John Laughlin” is the first major presentation of Laughlin’s photographs by the High Museum following a landmark acquisition of his work in 2015.

“City Lights” spoke with the High Museum’s curator of photography, Greg Harris about this influential Southern artist. Clarence John Laughlin’s work is on view at the High Museum through Nov. 10.