SEEING ACROSS GENERATIONS: MANOS, JOHNSON, MENJIVAR

In celebration of the centenary of the Leica I, the Leica Gallery Boston is proud to present Seeing Across Generations, a landmark exhibition honoring three generations of Boston-based Leica photographers whose work spans decades of image-making, mentorship, and a deep engagement with community. Seeing Across Generations brings together the celebrated visions of Constantine Manos, Stella Johnson, and Iaritza Menjivar— each of whom has used the Leica camera to document the world through a lens shaped by their individual perspectives and identities.

The exhibition centers Manos’ iconic series The Bostonians, originally created fifty-years ago to celebrate the American Bicentennial, now intimately reveals how time has shaped the changing city. Through images of Franklin Park, Government Center, Parades, and more, these prints show how he was able to carefully document the dynamic nature of Boston’s historic neighborhoods and diverse communities. As Manos was the first artist to show work in our gallery space, and with his recent passing in early January, this exhibition marks a poignant tribute to his legacy.

Stella Johnson’s images bring viewers to Revere Beach and beyond, offering layered, richly observed photographs that explore public space, connection, and joy across cultures. Her work reflects a deep belief in the beauty and necessity of communal life, tracing how interaction and congregation have evolved in response to the shifting demands of modern society, with Boston and other cities as the backdrop for this exploration. Her project ZOI which traced her personal identity and ancestral connections to Greece, was exhibited in the Leica Gallery Boston in 2019.

Representing our third generation, Iaritza Menjivar's new work introduces a bold, contemporary voice. Drawing on themes of identity, migration, and belonging, her photographs look toward the future of photography in Boston, where personal and collective histories meet. Her long-term project First Generation, documenting the daily life of three generations in her immigrant family, was featured in the 2019 group exhibition Seen: A Collaboration, alongside Ed Kashi and James Estrin in partnership with the Anderson Ranch Arts Center.

Join us for the opening reception on Thursday, July 17th, from 6 PM to 8 PM. Seeing Across Generations will be on view through September 14th, 2025

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