NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.- The Chrysler Museum of Art presents "A Lens to the World: Photographs by Bob Lerner," at the Alice R. and Sol B. Frank Photography Galleries and on view through August 17, 2003. Continuing the tradition of innovative photography exhibitions, the Chrysler Museum of Art has organized the first retrospective survey on the work of Bob Lerner. Working for Look magazine from 1951 to 1971 Lerner photographed in 50 countries, on five continents, and in all 50 states. Although this exhibition is worthy of any museum it is especially relevant to the Chrysler as Bob Lerner currently resides in the Hampton Roads community. Now retired, Lerner has lived in Yorktown since 1999. He is active as a mentor and teacher and has most recently been making photographs of the Granby Street corridor in Norfolk.

The photography of Bob Lerner includes popular culture, politics, and socially relevant issues. Among the celebrities and icons whose photographs are featured in the exhibition are Queen Elizabeth, Bette Davis, Jimmy Durante, Polly Bergen, Robert Frost, Mia Farrow, and Cliff Robertson. Also included are his photographs of political and sports figures such as the Kennedy brothers—John, Robert, and Ted as well as Jack Nicklaus—Arnold Palmer, Casey Stengel, and Branch Rickey. The stories that were the most meaningful to Lerner were those that dealt with a home for troubled youths where new therapies were being tested; Sister Maria Fidelis, M.D. of the Maryknoll Order treating refugees in Hong Kong; and the Lerke family, a couple who adopted nine “unadoptable” children. A continuing theme throughout much of his work deals with religion. Although Lerner’s personal interest in the subject began with a Look story covering the Jews in America, he went on to cover other religions around the world. The exhibition also includes original Look magazines featuring Lerner’s photographs as spreads and as covers of the now famous publication.

The exhibition will be accompanied by an illustrated catalogue with a biographical text by Larry Maddry former columnist for The Virginian Pilot newspaper. An essay by Brooks Johnson, the Chrysler’s curator of photography, places Lerner and Look magazine within the overall history of photography. The exhibition catalogue and programs are all made possible thanks to the generous support of the Business Exhibition Council of the Chrysler Museum of Art.