Geoff Winningham Explained

Geoffrey Lea Winningham (born March 4, 1943) is an American photographer, journalist, and filmmaker best known for his photographs and documentary films focusing on Texas and Mexican culture. Geoff's work was first recognized in the early 1970s when he published the book Friday Night in the Coliseum, featuring his photographs of professional wrestling and recorded conversations with wrestlers and fans.  The book was followed in 1972 by a 16mm, black and white documentary film of the same title. 

Over the course of his career he has received two Guggenheim Fellowships,^[1] five grants from the National Endowment for the Arts,^[2] and numerous commissions. He has lived in Houston, Texas, and taught photography in the Department of Visual and Dramatic Arts at Rice University since 1969. In addition, he directs the Pozos Art Project, Inc., a non-profit enterprise offering art and photography opportunities to children in Texas and in Mexico.

Early life and education

Geoff Winningham was born on March 4, 1943, in Jackson, Tennessee. At the age of 13, he became fascinated with cameras, immersed himself in photography, found a part-time job as a studio and darkroom assistant, built a darkroom in his family home, and made his first photo-book, a handmade volume of portraits of his friends. At the age of 14, he left home to continue his secondary education as a boarding student at Battle Ground Academy in Franklin, Tennessee.

In 1961 he moved to Houston, Texas, to study at Rice University, majoring in English literature.  While studying at Rice he renewed his interest in photography, encouraged by several English professors, most notably Professor Gerald O'Grady, his first and most important mentor. After earning his bachelor's degree from Rice, he entered the Master's program at the IIT Institute of Design in Chicago, Illinois, where he studied with Aaron Siskind, Arthur Siegel, and Wynn Bullock, completing his MS degree in 1968.

Books

• In the Eyes of Our Children: Houston, An American City, Houston: Pozos Art Project, 2017.^{[3] [4]}
• Of the Soil: Photographs of Vernacular Architecture and Stories of Changing Times in Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR: University of Arkansas Press, 2014.^[5]
• Going Back to Galveston: Nature, Funk and Fantasy in a Favorite Place, College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, Text by J. Killingsworth, 94 photos. 2011.^[6]
• Traveling the Shore of the Spanish Sea: The Gulf Coast of Texas and Mexico, College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2010.^[7]
• The Pozos Art Project: Art from the 2009 Workshops, Houston, TX: Pozos Art Project, 2009.^[8]
• Mi Pueblo: The Pozos Children's Project, Houston, TX: The Jung Center of Houston, 2008.^[9]
• Along Forgotten River, Austin, TX: Texas State Historical Association, 2003.^[10]
• In the Eye of the Sun:  Mexican Fiestas, with essays by J. M. G. LeClezio and introduction by Richard Rodriguez, New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Co., 1997.^[11]
• Rice University: A 75th Anniversary Portrait, Houston, TX: Rice University Press, 1987.^[12]
• A Place of Dreams: Houston, an American City, Houston, TX: Rice University Press, 1986.^[13]
• Rites of Fall: High School Football in Texas, Austin, TX: University of Texas Press,1979.^[14]
• Geoff Winningham: Photographs, Houston, TX: Museum of Fine Arts, 1974.^[15]
• Going Texan: The Days of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, New York, NY: Horizon Press, 1972.^[16]
• Friday Night in the Coliseum, Houston, TX: Allison Press, 1971.^[17]

Films

• In Our Fathers' Sweetest Dreams: High School Football in Texas, (16 mm, 30 min.), produced with funding from the Southwest Alternate Media Project, 1993.
• The Pleasures of this Stately Dome, (16 mm, 54 min.), produced with funding from the NEA, Public Media Section, 1976.^[18]
• Friday Night in the Coliseum, (16 mm, 35 min.), produced for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, 1972.

Magazine work

• "The Eye of the Bull," Texas Monthly, October 1991.^[19]
• "A Fool for Mules," Texas Monthly, May 1991.^[20]
• "An Arabian for the Ages," Connoisseur, March 1989.
• "My Kind of Town," Texas Monthly, September 1988.^[21]
• "Football: Game of Life," Texas Monthly, October 1983.^[22]
• "281," Texas Monthly, July 1982.^[23]
• "Foat Wuth, The Eternal City," Texas Monthly, June 1982.^[24]
• "Houston, Texas: City of Destiny," Texas Monthly, October 1981.^[25]
• "Rites of Fall," American Photographer, December 1979.
• "Friday Night Heroes," Texas Monthly, October 1976.
• "Beach Party," Texas Monthly, August 1976.^[26]
• "Our Town," Texas Monthly, June 1976.^[27]
• "An Apology for the Life of Joe H. Klein," Esquire, December 1973.
• "Mes Nuits Chaudes Dans Le Temple du Catch," Photo (Paris), December 1972.

Exhibitions

• Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, 2017.^[28]
• Brooklyn Museum of Art, 2017.
• Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Little Rock, 2015.
• Brandon Gallery, Houston, 2015.^[29]
• Koelsch Gallery, Houston, March–April 2012.^[30]
• Robert Anderson Gallery, New York, 2011.^[31]
• Wittliff Gallery, Texas State University, 2008.^[32]
• Beeville Art Museum, Beeville, Texas, 2005.^[33]
• Harrison Museum of Art, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, August–September 2004.^[34]
• Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs, California, 2002.
• Special Collections Gallery, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, 1999.
• Leica Gallery, New York, 1998.
• Duke University, Museum of Art, Durham, 1997.
• Museo Rufino Tamayo, Oaxaca, Mexico, 1996.
• Elizabeth Koogler McNay Museum, 1996.
• Sewall Gallery, Rice University, 1986.
• Nimbus Gallery, Dallas, 1986.
• San Antonio Museum of Art, May 1983.
• Harris Gallery, Houston, 1982.
• Wah Lui Gallery, Seattle, 1980.
• Cronin Gallery,^[35] Houston, 1977.
• Afterimage Gallery, Dallas, 1976.
• Madison Art Center, Madison, Wisconsin, 1975.
• Witkin Gallery, New York, 1975.^[36]
• Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1974.^[37]

Collections

• Museum of Fine Arts, Houston^[38]
• Museum of Modern Art, New York,^[39]
• Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York,^[40]
• San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco^[41]
• Boston Museum of Art, Boston^[42]
• International Museum of Photography (George Eastman Museum), Rochester
• Harvard University Museum, Cambridge^[43]
• Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton^[44]
• Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Dallas^[45]
• San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio^[46]
• Museum of Photographic Arts, San Diego
• Wittliff Collections of Southwestern and Mexican Photography, San Marcos^[47]
• New Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans
• United States Library of Congress, Washington,^[48]
• J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

Awards and commissions

• Ned Shank Award for Outstanding Preservation Publication, Preserve Arkansas, 2015.^[49]
• John Brinkerhoff Jackson Book Prize – Special Recognition for the best book on the American landscape for Traveling the Shore of the Spanish Sea, Foundation for Landscape Studies, 2011.^[50]
• Ron Tyler Award for the Best Illustrated Book on Texas History and Culture for Traveling the Shore of the Spanish Sea, Texas State Historical Association, 2010.^[51]
• Urban Investment and Development Company, commission to photograph "Central Houston," 1983–86.
• National Endowment for the Arts, Media Arts Grant for a documentary film on Texas high school football, 1983.
• First Federal of Arkansas, commission to photograph "The Vernacular Architecture of Arkansas," 1980–81.
• John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, for "Photographs of Texas High School Football," 1978.
• National Endowment for the Arts, Photography Fellowship for "A Photographic Study of Football in Texas," 1977.
• Seagrams Foundation, commission to photograph "County Courthouses of the Southern United States," 1975–76.
• Kimbell Art Museum, commission to photograph the Kimbell Museum for the book Light is the Theme, 1975.
• National Endowment for the Arts, Photography Fellowship for "Photographs of Rural Festivals in Texas," 1975.
• National Endowment for the Arts, Public Media Grant for a film on the Houston Astrodome, 1974.
• John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, for "Photographs of Texas," 1972.
• Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Grant for the film Friday Night in the Coliseum, 1971.

External links

• Official Website of Geoff Winningham
• Faculty Webpage at Rice University
• Pozos Art Project Website

Notes and References

1. Web site: John Simon Guggenheim Foundation Geoffrey Winningham. February 10, 2018. Guggenheim Foundation.
2. Web site: Geoffrey Winningham VADA. February 10, 2018. Rice University Department of Visual and Dramatic Arts.
3. Book: Geoff., Winningham. In the eyes of our children : Houston, an American city. 978-1532317316. Houston, Texas. 989873404. September 2017.
4. Web site: In the Eyes of Our Children: Houston, an American City. Houston Press. 12 February 2018.
5. Book: Geoff, Winningham. Of the soil : photographs of vernacular architecture and stories of changing times in Arkansas. Fay Jones School of Architecture.. 2014. 978-1557286598. First . Fayetteville. 866937403.
6. Book: Jimmie., Killingsworth, M.. Going back to Galveston : nature, funk, and fantasy in a favorite place. 2011. Texas A & M University Press. Winningham, Geoff.. 978-1603442947. 1st . College Station. 747411367.
7. Book: Geoff., Winningham. Traveling the shore of the Spanish sea : the Gulf Coast of Texas and Mexico. 2010. Texas A & M University Press. 978-1603441612. 1st . College Station. 680622534.
8. Web site: Art From Our Workshops – The Pozos Art Project. Pozos Art Project. February 22, 2018.
9. Book: Geoff, Winningham. MI PUEBLO – The Pozos Children's Project: Photographs and Monotypes by Children of Mineral De Pozos, Mexico. Jung Center of Houston (2008). 2008. Houston, TX.
10. Book: Geoff., Winningham. Along forgotten river : photographs of Buffalo Bayou and the Houston Ship Channel, 1997–2001 : with accounts of early travelers to Texas, 1767–1858. 2003. Texas State Historical Association. 0876111894. Austin. 51059366.
11. Book: Geoff., Winningham. In the eye of the sun : Mexican fiestas. 1997. W.W. Norton. Le Clézio, J.-M. G. (Jean-Marie Gustave), 1940–. 0393315843. 1st . New York. 35086198.
12. Book: Geoff., Winningham. Rice University : a 75th anniversary portrait. 1987. Rice University Press. Boles, John B., Calhoun, Fryar.. 0892632658. 1st . Houston. 16003967.
13. Book: Geoff., Winningham. A place of dreams : Houston, an American city. 1986. Rice University Press. Reinert, Al.. 0892632631. 1st . Houston, Tex.. 13859188.
14. Book: Geoff., Winningham. Rites of fall : high school football in Texas. 1979. University of Texas Press. Reinert, Al.. 0292770200. Austin. 5264336.
15. Book: Winningham, Geoff. Geoff Winningham: Photographs. Houston Museum of Fine Arts. 1974. Houston, TX.
16. Book: Winningham, Geoff. Going Texan: The Days of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Horizon Press. 1972. New York, NY.
17. Book: Winningham, Geoff. Friday Night in the Coliseum. Allison Press. 1971. Houston, TX.
18. News: 1975 documentary celebrates 10th anniversary of the Astrodome. Gonzales. J.R.. June 11, 2010. Houston Chronicle. February 12, 2018.
19. Web site: October 1991 Archives – Texas Monthly. Texas Monthly. 12 February 2018.
20. News: A Fool for Mules. April 30, 1991. Texas Monthly. 12 February 2018.
21. Web site: October 1988 Archives – Texas Monthly. Texas Monthly. 12 February 2018.
22. News: Football, Game of Life. September 30, 1983. Texas Monthly. 12 February 2018.
23. Morris. Jan. 281. Texas Monthly. December 1982. 166–175. Google Books. December 1982.
24. Morris. Jan. Foat Wuth, The Eternal City. Texas Monthly. June 1982. 150–159. Google Books. June 1982.
25. Morris. Jan. Houston, Texas: City of Destiny. Texas Monthly. October 1981. 130–139, 222–226. Google Books. October 1981.
26. Winningham. Geoff. Beach Party. Texas Monthly. August 1976. 90–94. Google Books. August 1976.
27. Winningham. Geoff. Our Town. Texas Monthly. June 1976. 114–124. Google Books. June 1976.
28. Web site: Geoff Winningham Dallas Museum of Art Uncrated. Dallas Museum of Art Uncrated. February 14, 2018.
29. Web site: Geoff Winningham: In Place – Glasstire. Glasstire . February 14, 2018.
30. Web site: Geoff Winningham at Koelsch Gallery. Boyd. Robert. March 18, 2012. The Great God Pan is Dead. February 14, 2018.
31. Web site: Geoff Winningham : Photographers : Robert Anderson Gallery. Robert Anderson Gallery. February 14, 2018.
32. News: MI PUEBLO: The Pozos Children's Project Photographs and Monotypes by Children of Mineral de Pozos, Mexico. March 27, 2008. The Wittliff Collections. February 14, 2018.
33. Web site: Faculty Information System Scholarly Interest Report. Rice University Faculty Information System. February 14, 2018.
34. News: Photographer captures celebration of life during days of the dead. November 8, 2004. The Utah Statesman. February 14, 2018.
35. Web site: The Top Houston Art Galleries of 1976. Hardy. Michael. August 18, 2018. Houstonia. February 14, 2018.
36. Gilbert. Ruth. July 28, 1975. In and Around Town: A Critical Guide to Entertainment in the New York Area. New York. 28 July 1975. 24. Google Books.
37. Web site: Photography: Past Exhibitions (1925–Present). Museum of Fine Arts Houston. February 22, 2018.
38. Web site: Search the Collection Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Museum of Fine Arts Houston. February 22, 2018.
39. Web site: Geoff Winningham MoMA. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). February 22, 2018.
40. Web site: Collection Metropolitan Museum of Art. Metropolitan Museum of Art. February 22, 2018.
41. Web site: Geoff Winningham SFMOMA. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. February 22, 2018.
42. Web site: Collections Search – Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Museum of Fine Arts Boston. February 26, 2018.
43. Web site: Search results – winningham Harvard Art Museums. Harvard Art Museums. February 26, 2018.
44. Web site: Geoff Winningham Princeton University Art Museum. Princeton University Art Museum. February 26, 2018.
45. Web site: DMA Collections Online. Dallas Museum of Art (DMA). February 26, 2018.
46. News: Sublime Light: A Survey of American Photographs from the Permanent Collection. Mutual Art. February 26, 2018.
47. Web site: Photographers in the Southwestern & Mexican Photography Collection. The Wittliff Collections. February 26, 2018.
48. Web site: Search Results: "Winningham, Geoff" – Prints & Photographs Online Catalog (Library of Congress). United States Library of Congress. February 26, 2018.
49. News: Professor Geoff Winningham received Ned Shank Award for Outstanding Preservation Publication for recent book, 'Of the Soil: Photographs of Vernacular Architecture and Stories of Changing Times in Arkansas'.
50. Web site: 2011 Jackson Book Prize . Foundation for Landscape Studies. February 26, 2018.
51. Web site: Geoff Winningham Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). February 26, 2018.