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The Dripby Ben Halvorsen9:43 pmJul 2, 20150

Born in West Baltimore, photographer is helping tell his city’s story

Reginald F. Lewis Museum to feature Devin Allen’s acclaimed photos of protests and unrest following the death of Freddie Gray

Above: One of the photographs in the Baltimore photographer’s upcoming show at the Reginald Lewis Museum.

Riveting photos of Baltimore made by self-taught photographer Devin Allen during the recent protests and rioting brought the 27-year-old national attention – and a Time Magazine cover.

Now Allen is getting a solo show in a major venue in his hometown and giving a talk there.

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African-American History and Culture will feature Allen’s work from Friday, July 10 to Monday, December 7.

“Devin Allen: Awakenings, In a New Light” showcases Allen’s color and black-and-white photos, some blown up to the size of 20-foot wide murals.

An interactive timeline of events following the death in police custody of Freddie Gray will allow visitors to write a response to the prompt “Where were you?”

Allen, who grew up in west Baltimore not far from the spot where Gray was arrested on April 12, dedicated his Instagram feed to the 25-year-old, who subsequently died of severe spinal injuries touching off weeks of unrest.

He’s been featured in the New York Times, exhibited his work at the LOOK3 Festival of the Photograph in Charlottesville, Va. and started a crowdfunding campaign to establish a youth photography program he will direct himself.

Allen is only the third amateur photographer to make the cover of Time.

The Act of Self-defining

Allen’s work was a natural choice for an institution like the Reginald Lewis Museum looking for ways to respond to events of the past few months, officials there said.

“Devin, through his poetic and compelling photographs, reveals the complexity of those days with the perspective of someone who grew up in West Baltimore,” said Skipp Sanders, executive director.

“His part in helping to define the image of our city not only gives us a more holistic understanding of the protests, but the act of self-defining is important in an era where practices like racial profiling impose images upon African Americans and threaten to define their identity for them,” Sanders said.

Sanders said the museum “is proud to host his first solo show” and to have it debut their new Lewis Now space.

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture is located at 830 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD.

The exhibit will be on the ground floor of the museum and will be free to the public.

Meet the Photographer

Visitors can meet Devin Allen on Saturday, July 11 in an event they’re calling “The Power of an Image: the Voice of a Community.

In an artist’s talk beginning at 1 p.m., Allen will describe his experiences as a protester on the ground following the death of Freddie Gray. He will be joined by several peers including activists Kwame Rose and Malacka Reed.

The museum will “dedicate the day to conversation and critical thought to promote positive solutions for uplifting Baltimore,” according to a release

Components include poetry, a DJ spinning music calling for social change, and opportunities to explore Allen’s new exhibit with the artist. An Instagram challenge will be announced with the winner receiving an autographed copy of Allen’s Time magazine issue.

This program is included with the purchase of museum admission for $8.

Admission for senior citizens (age 65+), youth (age 7-17), and students (with ID) is $6. Admission for members, children under the age of six, and Maryland public school teachers is free.

Tickets can be purchased at www.lewismuseum.org, by calling 443-263-1875 or in person.

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