No Childhood Permitted

At great risk to himself, and at times, to the children involved, Lewis W. Hine documented widespread child labor in the United States during the early 20th century. Since his photos told the story, his notations on the images were short and succinct. A name, an age, a location were often all he utilized to speak the volumes of experiences that he witnessed. The girls of the oyster canneries, reflected in this piece, was just one such chapter.

My work is primarily image driven, with the intent to tell a story, or evoke a memory. This piece demonstrates that using the simplest of text, Hine's work was able to influence the attitude of the public, resulting in significant changes to U.S. labor laws. (Original images by Lewis W. Hine, courtesy U.S. Library of Congress)