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Ellis Island: Ghosts of Freedom
"Wilkes's photographs of the 'dark side' of Ellis Island are extraordinary...this book will be a major event." --David McCullough For five years (1998-2003) New York photographer Stephen Wilkes explored the hospital complex that comprised the south side of Ellis Island. Neglected for almost fifty years, the buildings were in a state of extreme disrepair: lead paint peeled from the ceilings and walls, vines and trees grew through the floorboards, detritus and debris littered the hallways. In rooms long-abandoned, Wilkes captured a spirited new vision of this gateway to freedom. Twelve million people passed through Ellis Island. Approximately one percent were turned away for health reasons. Wilkes's powerful images of the underbelly of the island--a purgatory between freedom and captivity--ask us to reflect on the defining experiences of millions. With that rare combination of an eye that sees far beyond the lens with the technical acumen of a master draftsman, Wilkes takes us on an unforgettable journey through our collective past. 77 color photographs
152 pages, Hardcover
First published October 16, 2006
109 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 24, 2019
Absolutely beautiful pictures of a place once forgotten. A touching tribute to the past beginnings of our country. Stephen Wilkes did an amazing job depicting the realism of Ellis Island. Loved the way he kept the photos in their natural state. A wonderful way to show our past.
October 12, 2021
My Oma (grandmother) immigrated. At Ellis Island.
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August 11, 2011This book, and the photographs in it, are AMAZING!
A couple of years ago, I stumbled across a couple of these images on postcards in the Cultural Center of Chicago's gift shop. Then, recently, I heard there was an entire book featuring this artist's work.
Finally in my hands, I could not soak up the genius of this book fast enough. As a photographer myself, the sheer opportunity the author/photographer, Stephen Wilkes, had was one-in-a-million, granted special permission which allowed him the chance to walk around freely and explore the hospital buildings on Ellis Island without hesitation or fear of being caught. He could take his time, returning time after time to explore the various nuances, the depths of the personality of this unknown, previously unexplored place.
The timing of this opportunity was fortuitous, as well. He was able to capture the undisturbed story of these buildings, and the power of nature recapturing this historical facility. In these photographs, viewers are able to imagine the past, imagine the daily goings-on within these spaces, but also, in a sense, to romanticize and let their imaginations develop stories about the people who must've spent time in these rooms all those years ago.
Wilkes' photographs capture and showcase first and foremost AMAZING colors and careful, crafted compositions. The forgotten and morphing beauty of human elements, like crackling lead paint, plaster in the process of falling off the ceilings, architectural details like door knobs and lighting fixtures representative of the time, and artifacts abandoned by immigrants and Ellis Island employees alike are featured on each page, revealing stunning colors! Wilkes demonstrates an amazing ability to utilize natural light as his tool, warming these potentially cold, abandoned spaces with warm wood hues and the "magic hour" of golden light.
The composition of the book itself is also crafted with clear thought and the eye of an artist. Randomly spaced throughout the hard cover coffee-table book are pages of vellum, printed with select quotes from immigrants who spent time in the spaces Wilkes explored. Not every page is printed on - if there is a photograph that stands alone, that's message would be hindered in some way by sharing a double-page spread with another image, that image is allowed to stand alone strongly, and the images resume on the next page.
At the end of the book, a truly unique feature exists. There is a thumbprint image of each photograph that appears in the main body of the book. Underneath each image is a statement from Wilkes that explains and/or attempts to capture the backstory of how each image came to exist - what he was doing and thinking when he snapped the photo, what the image might mean to others, what he hopes it says.
I am very proud to add this book to my collection of historical and photographic books. I hope to someday be able to purchase a fine art print of at least one of these images to add to my fine art collection. And the skill and craft within these images, I'm sure, will stick with me and influence my photographic eye as I encounter my own unique photographic journeys and opportunities.
A couple of years ago, I stumbled across a couple of these images on postcards in the Cultural Center of Chicago's gift shop. Then, recently, I heard there was an entire book featuring this artist's work.
Finally in my hands, I could not soak up the genius of this book fast enough. As a photographer myself, the sheer opportunity the author/photographer, Stephen Wilkes, had was one-in-a-million, granted special permission which allowed him the chance to walk around freely and explore the hospital buildings on Ellis Island without hesitation or fear of being caught. He could take his time, returning time after time to explore the various nuances, the depths of the personality of this unknown, previously unexplored place.
The timing of this opportunity was fortuitous, as well. He was able to capture the undisturbed story of these buildings, and the power of nature recapturing this historical facility. In these photographs, viewers are able to imagine the past, imagine the daily goings-on within these spaces, but also, in a sense, to romanticize and let their imaginations develop stories about the people who must've spent time in these rooms all those years ago.
Wilkes' photographs capture and showcase first and foremost AMAZING colors and careful, crafted compositions. The forgotten and morphing beauty of human elements, like crackling lead paint, plaster in the process of falling off the ceilings, architectural details like door knobs and lighting fixtures representative of the time, and artifacts abandoned by immigrants and Ellis Island employees alike are featured on each page, revealing stunning colors! Wilkes demonstrates an amazing ability to utilize natural light as his tool, warming these potentially cold, abandoned spaces with warm wood hues and the "magic hour" of golden light.
The composition of the book itself is also crafted with clear thought and the eye of an artist. Randomly spaced throughout the hard cover coffee-table book are pages of vellum, printed with select quotes from immigrants who spent time in the spaces Wilkes explored. Not every page is printed on - if there is a photograph that stands alone, that's message would be hindered in some way by sharing a double-page spread with another image, that image is allowed to stand alone strongly, and the images resume on the next page.
At the end of the book, a truly unique feature exists. There is a thumbprint image of each photograph that appears in the main body of the book. Underneath each image is a statement from Wilkes that explains and/or attempts to capture the backstory of how each image came to exist - what he was doing and thinking when he snapped the photo, what the image might mean to others, what he hopes it says.
I am very proud to add this book to my collection of historical and photographic books. I hope to someday be able to purchase a fine art print of at least one of these images to add to my fine art collection. And the skill and craft within these images, I'm sure, will stick with me and influence my photographic eye as I encounter my own unique photographic journeys and opportunities.
December 23, 2008
Yes. Absolutely stunning. The hospital complex on Ellis Island was left to decay for 50 years. Photographer Stephen Wilkes spent five years photographing this eery remnant. Studying the photos one can't help thinking of all the immigrants who came so far, only to be hospitalized and die on the island.
And why is this beautiful?
Why does this touch me more than I imagined photographs empty buildings could?
The beauty of impermanence.
The way time and nature can reclaim and transform even the most horrific spaces.
The way Wilkes captures the natural light that warms this place, and how organic forms and patterns emerge from institutional sterility.
Amazing images. One reveals that patients could see the statue of liberty from the hospital. Haunting.
And why is this beautiful?
Why does this touch me more than I imagined photographs empty buildings could?
The beauty of impermanence.
The way time and nature can reclaim and transform even the most horrific spaces.
The way Wilkes captures the natural light that warms this place, and how organic forms and patterns emerge from institutional sterility.
Amazing images. One reveals that patients could see the statue of liberty from the hospital. Haunting.
January 28, 2008
amazing color photographs of a collapsing piece of american history.
June 3, 2008
Absolutely stunning, haunting photography. This would make an excellent coffee table book you'll want to pick up again and again.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews