Bio – Documentary Fine Art

Biography of Wyatt Kenneth Coleman

Honoring Wyatt Kenneth Coleman Civil Rights Photographer, Veteran, Community Leader is a freelance photographer and photojournalist whose career spans more than fifty years. While serving in the military during the Vietnam War, he studied in the U.S. Air Force Photography School, gaining skills that would benefit him in both his military and artistic careers. His work has focused on documenting social justice movements and their leaders such as the late Representative John Lewis. Known for his documentation of the civil rights and labor movements, his work includes a collaboration with Coretta Scott King, demonstrating Coleman’s dedication to social justice and the community in which he lives. The Lancaster Museum and Public Art Foundation is proud to honor for his contributions to photography, activism and leadership in the City of Lancaster and across the nation.

Coleman’s passion lies in depicting empathy and dignity to his artistic subjects and providing the viewer with a newfound appreciation and perspective towards humanity. For Coleman, he believes that photography can serve as a medium to demonstrate the complexities of the human experience. Mainly, he is inspired by community members whose works focus on the betterment of humankind which includes his involvement in the creation of The King Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Through his work, Coleman encourages his viewers to contemplate their involvement in their communities, “what is it that you can do to make this world a better place?” Coleman was interested in the effect that the Civil Rights Movement had on the lives of ordinary people, stating, “When a person is committed and makes a contribution to their community, lives are changed and doing the right thing is really key.” His work documents everyday people participating in non-violent activism by committing acts of kindness and working towards social justice.

#socialjustice #veteransday #communityleader #civilrightsmovement

– at Lancaster Museum of Art and History – MOAH.

Occupation: Documentarian Authenticity

Organization: Los Angeles Unified School District

Location: Los Angeles, California

Love, Peace and Equality:
I say to you today, my friends, though, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.
-Martin Luther King, Jr.

On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial and spoke the words that would change the course of history and be remembered by Americans of all races for generations to come. In his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, Dr. King vocalized the issues at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, calling for peaceful protest, justice, and equality. He was a leader, a pastor, and an accomplished scholar, but above all, Martin Luther King, Jr. lived to serve his community. Dr. King has this in common with one of the men who chronicled his legacy–photographer. “In the mid 1970’s,” says Coleman, “I began documenting people striving to make a difference.”

A Vietnam Veteran, Coleman’s dedication to helping others is evident in both his artistic practice and humanitarian contributions. In addition to documenting Dr. King’s legacy, the artist established a collaboration with Coretta Scott King in 1979, which remained active until her death. Coleman was interested in the effect that the Civil Rights Movement had on the lives of ordinary people, stating, “When a person is committed and makes a contribution to their community, lives are changed and doing the right thing is really key.” As such, much of his work documents every-day people participating in non-violent activism by committing acts of kindness and working towards social justice. In these images, Coleman seeks to emphasize the importance that engagement and oral history play in passing down the value of serving one’s community and family. It is through this body of work that MOAH:CEDAR is excited to provide an intimate look into the artist’s personal legacy.

Wyatt Kenneth Coleman is a freelance photojournalist whose career spans over fifty years. While serving in the military, he studied at the U.S. Air Force Photography School, gaining skills that would benefit him in both his military and artistic careers. He has certifications from the Winona School of Professional Photography, the University of Minnesota and Santa Fe Photographic workshops. Coleman is a member of the International Freelance Photographers Organization and has had his work regularly shown in several publications, including 3M, Ebony and Jet Magazines, The Daily Word, and TV Guide Canada. He received an award of appreciation from the late Coretta Scott King for a visual presentation he helped create, promoting the establishment of the Martin Luther King Center for “Non-Violent” Social Change in Atlanta. Coleman has been awarded for his unselfish volunteer service in the communities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and was recognized for his volunteer work at the Elm Avenue Community Garden by Assemblyman Tom Lackey, in addition to receiving an award from Lancaster City Council, for his contributions to the community. Wyatt Kenneth Coleman currently lives in Minnesota.
Contact: 562-714-4439