Photographs and Memories: On Gordon Parks

Photographs and Memories: On Gordon Parks

From Museum Confidential by Philbrook Museum of Art

March 26, 2026 · 30 min · Season 10 · Episode 10

About this episode

This episode features a conversation with photographer Fred Sweets about his friendship with Gordon Parks and the impact of Parks's work.

"Homeward to the Prairie I Come: Gordon Parks Photographs from the Beach Museum of Art" is on view at Tulsa's Philbrook Museum of Art through June 19th; this striking exhibit features 70+ works, including iconic photo-journalism, portraits, and experimental photography. Recently, MC host Jeff Martin had the opportunity to chat with one of Parks's good friends, the fellow photographer Fred Sweets. An award-winning photographer and photo editor who worked over the years at The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, The Washington Post, and the Associated Press, Sweets was greatly inspired by the photography of Gordon Parks (as were so many others). On this episode, we hear Sweets reflecting on his life and work with the camera -- as well as that of the legendary Gordon Parks.

People in this episode

Host: Jeff Martin

Guest: Fred Sweets

Topics covered

  • Gordon Parks
  • photography
  • exhibitions
  • photojournalism
  • art
  • friendship

Keywords

  • Gordon Parks
  • Fred Sweets
  • photography
  • Philbrook Museum
  • exhibition
  • photojournalism
  • art

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Philbrook Museum of Art

Books & works: Homeward to the Prairie I Come: Gordon Parks Photographs from the Beach Museum of Art

More episodes of Museum Confidential

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Museum Confidential podcast page.