Marjory Wilkins passed away Friday April 1 in her home. She was 81. The Syracuse community lost an artist and mentor who captured the true essence of African-American Syracuse through her series of photographs. Marjory was in the middle of a renaissance, her work being recognized by new audiences as people reconnected with their 15th Ward roots which she captured in numerous photographs.
Recent exhibitions of her photographs include “A Tender Record, Marjory Wilkins: Early Black & White Photographs,” on display at ArtRage Gallery in May 2010.
In addition, in March Syracuse Stage presented a collection of Marjory’s work in conjunction with the presentation of August Wilson’s “Radio Golf,” a story which, like Majory’s photographs, provided a local cultural record and captured the African-American life that existed in vibrant African-American communities throughout America before Urban Renewal turned them into memories.
She was also a contributing photographer for Urban CNY. Marjory Wilkins will be missed, but her work leaves us photographic memories, a tender record of a life well-lived.
