One of the most critically acclaimed woman photographers and filmmakers of the mid to late 20th century, Ruth Orkin (1921 – 1985, USA) grew up in Hollywood, the daughter of a silent film actress. Self-taught, like her contemporaries Berenice Abbott and Helen Levitt, she began taking photographs at the age of 17 during a bicycle trip from Los Angeles to New York City. Fearless and feisty, she settled in New York in 1943 and embarked upon an illustrious career, photographing celebrities, musicians, and the lives of people she met during her lifelong travels.
Ruth Orkin Centenary
Our Ruth Orkin Gallery, Inner Child is now live
View the Ruth Orkin Gallery, Inner Child
In Conversation: Celebrating Ruth Orkin’s Centenary with Mary Engel
To honour the legendary American photographer, we welcome her daughter Mary Engel to discuss the career of Ruth Orkin.
Mary Engel is the founder and president of American Photography Archives Group (APAG.us), an American non-profit that helps photographers and heirs through education of preservation and maintenance of a privately held photography archive.
Mary Engel will be joined by Haley Drolet. Haley currently lives in Oxford, England with her Dalmatian (and Hundred Heroines’ mascot) Annie. She completed a MA in Classics from King’s College London and now works as a Research Assistant in the History Faculty at the University of Oxford.
Friday 3rd September at 6pm
Film Screening: Little Fugitive (1953) by Ruth Orkin, Morris Engel and Ray Ashley
Join Hundred Heroines for a film screening of the 1950’s American classic, Little Fugitive, directed by legendary photographer Ruth Orkin.
As we continue our celebrations for Ruth Orkin’s centenary, we are pleased to announce a film screening of her directorial debut, Little Fugitive at Sherborne Cinema, Gloucester.
At 8:30pm on Thursday 23rd September, join us for a night at the movies in the heart of Gloucester.
Ruth Orkin (1921-1985)
American Photographer
Most famous for her 1951 photograph “An American Girl in Italy,” American photographer Ruth Orkin grew up in Hollywood, the daughter of a silent film actress. Self-taught, like her contemporaries Berenice Abbott and Helen Levitt, she began taking photographs at the age of 17 on a bicycle trip from Los Angeles to New York City to go to the 1939 World Fair. Fearless and feisty, she settled in New York in 1943 and started her career as a nightclub and portrait photographer.
