Neal Slavin's group portraits at PDNB Gallery offer a unique celebration. His landmark book, "When Two or More Are Gathered Together," documents his travel across the country observing various groups. These 19 digital C-prints showcase Americans ranging from bodybuilders to gravediggers. It's a remarkable display that reveals much about group dynamics.

Uncover the Power of Group Portraits by Neal Slavin

Group Portraits: A Celebration of American Diversity

Neal Slavin's group portraits are a visual feast that captures the essence of American society. From the pride and happiness on the faces of his subjects to the diverse range of individuals, these portraits paint a vivid picture of the country. Whether it's hot dog vendors, Miss USA contestants, or members of a gun club, each group reveals something unique about itself. It shows how people become more fully themselves when surrounded by others of their kind and find a sense of belonging.

These group portraits also serve as a reminder of the remarkable American capacity for self-organization. Sociologists have noted how our ability to form like-minded groups is a distinctive strength of our civic culture. Despite the decline in recent decades, Slavin's new edition of the book adds new subjects from 2023, offering an encouragement in the face of this trend.

Neal Slavin's Use of Color: Capturing American Folk Culture

In the early 1970s, fine-art photography was dominated by understated monochrome. However, Neal Slavin, along with Stephen Shore and Joel Meyerowitz, saw the potential of color. His use of color in these group portraits captures the ebullience of American folk culture and brings it to the urban gallery-going audience. It's a perspective that is both admiring and respectful, rather than condescending.

The photographs are like a social media before social media, existing in a middle ground between the ceremonial formality of a 17th-century Dutch group portrait and the spontaneous nature of a modern group selfie. They show how groups can bring people together and create shared connections.

Details and Exhibition Information

"Neal Slavin: When Two or More are Gathered" continues through Feb. 15 at PDNB Gallery, 150 Manufacturing St., Suite 203. Admission is free. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 214-969-1852 or visit pdnbgallery.com.