Baltimore, MD -- UMBC's Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery is proud to present Contemporary Documents, an exhibition exploring the state of documentary photography today through the work of four image makers: Kristin Capp of New York City and Jack Radcliffe, Jana Kopelentova Rehak, and Frank Rehak of Baltimore.

Using black and white photography, the tradition of social documentation is explored by these artists in diverse ways. Kristin Capp's recent images of Hutterite colonies in eastern Washington State and Canada depict close-knit communities of individuals seemingly lifted from another era. Similarly, Jack Radcliffe's series "Beppi, Steven and family" offers the complex relation to time we experience only with still photography. Taken over a period of six years, Radcliffe's images of one young family reveal subtle shifts in their dynamic through simple everyday interaction.

In contrast, Jana Kopelentova Rehak physically removes her subjects from their surroundings, allowing individual's expressions, dress and poses to tell complex stories. Portraits of Czech refugees from Chernobyl and residence of Hampden, Baltimore could never be mistaken one for the other. Conversely, the different worlds of Baltimore and Prague inspire Frank Rehak to find the aesthetic similarities between disparate worlds through design, tone, and light.

This exhibition is organized by Chief Curator Tom Beck and Curator Cynthia Wayne of the Library Gallery. An accompanying illustrated catalog with artists' biographies and checklist will be available on site (publication design by Professor Franc Nunoo-Quarcoo). A public program is scheduled for Thursday, September 30th at 4 p.m. with the four artists involved in the exhibition. A reception will follow the presentations at 5 p.m.

Contemporary Documents is supported in part by a program grant from the Maryland State Arts Council and by the Friends of the Library and Gallery. G allery programs are free and open to the public. The Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery is located on the first floor of the Library, 1000 Hilltop Circle, and is open Monday through Friday 12 to 4:30 p.m., Thursday until 8 p.m., and Saturday 1 -5 p.m. For further information, please call (410) 455-2270.