The Quarter Gallery at the Regis Center for Art presents the exhibition VIETNAM: A Window to War.
The exhibition is a compilation of photographs and materials collected by James R. Thompson during the time he spent serving with the 101st Airborne, U.S. Army in Vietnam from August 1970 to August 1971.
After six months in Recon he was reassigned to be battalion photographer when most of these photos were taken. When he returned home, Thompson put the negatives in storage and they remained there for forty years. In 2010 he rediscovered the negatives and began the recovery and restoration of these Vietnam photos. In this exhibition Thompson has tried to show the many sides of this conflict.
Artist Statement
“My interest in photography and filmmaking began as a student at the University of Minnesota in the late sixties. I developed an early interest in documentary and street photography. I tried to use this sensitivity when photographing in Vietnam and later as a cameraman in the motion picture production business from 1975 - 2008. I now concentrate my efforts on restoring my Vietnam negatives as well as working on contemporary street photography. I continue to look for interesting people and situations and photograph them with the dignity they deserve no matter what their lot in life.”
Artist Biography
James R. Thompson was born in Minnesota, graduated from Aitkin High School, and attended the University of Minnesota from 1967–69 pursuing a B.A. degree in Studio Arts. In August 1969 James was drafted into the U.S. Army and in 1970 was assigned to Recon, 101st Airborne in Vietnam. After his military obligation James returned to the University of Minnesota and in 1974 received a B.F.A. degree in Filmmaking and Photography. James spent thirty-three years (1975-2008) in the motion picture and video production business.
He lives and works in the Minneapolis area as a freelance photographer.
Jamesrthompsonphotography.com
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