Mary Ellen Mark: Ward 81

The Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery presents Mary Ellen Mark: Ward 81, a images exhibition on show from January 26 by means of May 22.

In 1976, American photographer Mary Ellen Mark and sociologist Karen Folger Jacobs spent thirty-six days residing within the Oregon State Hospital, the place they photographed the residents of Ward 81, the hospital’s all-female, high-security psychiatric unit. Their unprecedented entry allowed them to create a deeply nuanced portrayal of ladies navigating psychiatric care within the mid-Nineteen Seventies. Mary Ellen Mark: Ward 81 brings collectively Mark’s images, Jacobs’s newly uncovered audio recordings, and uncommon archival supplies, providing an intimate and expanded view of this landmark documentary challenge.

An opening reception and curatorial tour will likely be held on Thursday, February 12, at 5 p.m.

Visitor Information

Admission is free. For driving instructions and parking info, please go to right here.

Library Gallery hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Image: Mary Ellen Mark, [Laurie in the Bathtub, Ward 81, Oregon State Hospital, Salem, Oregon, USA], 1976. © Mary Ellen Mark, courtesy of The Mary Ellen Mark Foundation.