Guards is a project where I worked with museum guards from the National Gallery of Art. I did interviews with them about their experience working in the spaces with art all day and their observations about the value of the art objects. I photographed them in their homes with the objects they value or collect. These photos as well as the actual objects, and a video tour of the collections are represented in the project.
Tameka, a museum guard and volunteer fire firefighter has an extensive collection of stuffed animals saved from her childhood. She is a Janet Jackson super fan and has collected binders of magazine and newspaper clippings. She has memorabilia from all the J.J. concerts she attended.
Tameka from the National Gallery of Art, 2014
Archival Pigment Print
48 x 36 inches
Installation Shot of Museum Guards and Their Collections at the Katzen Arts Center in May 2015.
Tameka has a large collection of all things Janet Jackson: magazines, posters, books, articles, etc. When she was younger she had her bedroom walls covered in images of her, as documented in the photos in her scrapbook.
Charles is a guard at the National Museum of Art. While in the air-force he collected guitars from the different countries he was assigned. They are now on display in his bedroom. Having worked on Air Force One he has also has an interesting collection of items such as Air Force One M&Ms, sugar packets, and napkins.
"Charles: Guard"
Archival Pigment Print
8.5 x 11"
2014
Charles has a collection of cups from significant sports events and places he has visited. He keeps them on display in his kitchen.
Michael collects china and serving ware. Many of the pieces were collected during travel or from special events.
Michael is a Guard from the National Gallery of Art. While serving in the Army overseas he collected Chess sets, and elaborate Afghani jewelry boxes for his daughters. He also has a china cabinet filled with items from different important moments of his life, including a glass mug from his days playing in the Army band.
Michael from the National Gallery of Art, 2014
Archival Pigment Print
48 x 36 inches