Harlem Fire Hydrant, 1963, giclee print

Presented by Garrison Art Center, Leonard Freed’s New York explores the early work of a photographer whose deep humanism and integrity defined his five-decade career. Born in Brooklyn, Freed spent over a decade in Europe before returning to New York in 1970. Though often abroad, Freed frequently returned to document his native city with a fresh, sophisticated eye. His iconic series Black in White America (1963) began in New York and expanded nationwide, reflecting his moral and artistic vision.

This exhibition spans scenes from Midtown’s postwar opulence to Harlem’s everyday life, Brooklyn’s Hasidic communities, and the gritty streets of Police Work (1978–79). Together, these images form a powerful portrait of New York and of an artist shaped by compassion, clarity, and an enduring curiosity.