Bill Chapman

We are happy to feature the works of Bill Chapman. Bill is a MA based documentary photographer. Chapman’s work has been exhibited at The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Gallery Kayafas, Harvard University, The Griffin Museum. His images have been published in a wide variety of books, including “Shut Out: A Story of Race and Baseball in Boston,” by Howard Bryant (Beacon Press, 2003), “Negro League Baseball”” by Ernest C. Withers (Harry N. Abrams, 2005), and “Rickwood Field: A Century in America’s Oldest Ballpark,” by Allen Barra (W.W. Norton & Co., 2010). Other publications include: The Boston Globe, The New York Times, Preservation Magazine, University of Budapest, Art New England and ESPN Magazine.

Bill’s works, gathered on his travels across America reveal his interest in music, civil rights, politics and baseball. Additionally he gives us a broad view of the diversity and uniqueness in contemporary American culture with a nod to our troubled past. Building upon the documentary photographic process Bill achieves a remarkable visualization of life in the USA. We focus on selections from three of his projects in this feature. A Fool Such as Us spotlighting the fetish culture surrounding Elvis Presley, The Color of Baseball focusing on the long storied history of the America Negro Baseball Leagues and Jingoistic Relic where we find his wanderings around the ‘quirkiness’ of Americana.

Steven Duede - Aspect principal

“You’re an American. You know what to do.”


Dr. Ernest Withers

Jingoistic relic

Traveling around America is my primary occupation when I am not earning my keep allowing me to be able to continue my adventures. In pursuing my several projects, I have noticed an American “quirkiness” in places that I have visited. The juxtaposition of events, objects and people are a central theme.

Bill Chapman

Bill Chapman

Bill chapman

Chapman has traveled throughout America to discover “the cruel radiance of what is,” as Walker Evans phrased it. His photographs have been described as “sardonic but good natured.” America has experienced a daunting number of peaks and valleys in the treatment of its citizenry and the way it represents itself within its own borders. Chapman set out to both befriend and embrace that America through his photographs.

Bill Chapman’s work has been exhibited at The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Gallery Kayafas, Harvard University, The Griffin Museum and many other locations. His images have been published in a wide variety of books, including “Shut Out: A Story of Race and Baseball in Boston,” by Howard Bryant (Beacon Press, 2003), “Negro League Baseball”” by Ernest C. Withers (Harry N. Abrams, 2005), and “Rickwood Field: A Century in America’s Oldest Ballpark,” by Allen Barra (W.W. Norton & Co., 2010). Many publications have also featured Chapman’s images including: The Boston Globe, The New York Times, Preservation Magazine, University of Budapest, Art New England and ESPN Magazine.

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