In support of the New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU) mission to feature exhibits that are connected to globally relevant ideas, art and history, NUMU is pleased to present In the Heart of the Wild: Anne Brigman and Her Circle an exhibit about 19th century Los Gatos resident, photographer and poet, Anne Brigman.

Born in 1869, Anne Brigman moved to Los Gatos when she was 16 years old. She first studied painting, but gravitated to photography and began exhibiting in 1902. Brigman focused on rugged landscapes and the female body, which resulted in new ways to explore feminine identity. She achieved early success as a Pictorialist, belonging to the Camera Club of San Francisco and the Photo-Secession group, led by Alfred Stieglitz in New York.

Brigman lived an active life, exploring territories that were literally and figuratively unfamiliar to many women of her time. She exhibited nationally and abroad, was published both as an artist in the photo journal Camera Work, and as a poet in her book Songs of A Pagan. All of her work reveals a love of nature, a connection to the mystical and an element of freedom.

In the Heart of the Wild: Anne Brigman and Her Circle features the photography and poetry of Anne Brigman, photographic work by Edward Weston, Imogene Cunningham, Judy Dater and others, as well as an interactive poetry activity for all museum visitors. The exhibit is made possible by the generous support of our partners, lenders and sponsors including: The Weston Gallery, Richard Gadd, Judy Dater, Craig Krull, Scott Nichols, Lite Line Illuminations, ClearEdge Advisors, the Borgnicht Foundation, and Donors to NUMU’s Annual Campaign.

ANNE BRIGMAN. Dawn, 1912.

Curated by Marianne K. McGrath