Outer Boroughs: New York beyond Manhattan continues the tradition -- actually the several traditions -- of photography in New York City. The predecessors of William Meyers worked almost entirely in Manhattan, but he worked in the other four boroughs -- Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island. Most of his pictures were taken on anonymous streets where the people of the place live and go about their business; they represent the quotidian, not the spectacular; they are the outer boroughs of the spirit as well as of the physical city.
The work is not concerned with documentation, the way things look, but with "thusness" -- the feel of a place at a particular moment. Each image represents a certain time in a certain part of a certain city where, he has found, even in unlikely neighborhoods there are occasions for beauty.
In 2008, the New York Public Library purchased a portfolio of 86 prints for its permanent collection. Other prints are in the collections of the Museum of the City of New York and the New-York Historical Society.
Industry Reviews
Capturing the rarely documented beauty of the suburbs through street scenes, cityscapes, interiors and intimate portraits of locals going about their everyday lives, Meyers fills a gap in the city's photographic heritage. While the book stands as a visual memento of New York City's continuous evolution, we look back at the outer boroughs' overlooked, vibrant history.--Giulia Mutti "Another Magazine "
From 1990 to 2009, photographer William Meyers wandered the outer reaches of Queens, Staten Island, the Bronx and Brooklyn to capture the beauty of the city's lesser-known neighbourhoods.--The Editors "The Guardian "
Meyers' vision of the city's open spaces is gritty, detailed, and often stark rather than romanticized. He is a photographer whose work is validated and represented in collections of the Museum of the City of New York and The New York Historical Society, and shows great insight in how he connects and depicts the citizens of the city. He is clearly a people person, engaging and romanced by his subjects. The response captured by his camera displays a genuine affirmation of emotion. His portrayal of the people of New York is full of character, attitude, and generosity of spirit.--Richard Rivera "New York Journal of Books "
Outer Boroughs: New York Beyond Manhattan is a photography book featuring the work of American photographer William Meyers. Born in 1938, Meyers broke the current conventions of photographers in New York, who would focus solely on documenting Manhattan. The book sees Meyers explore Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens and Staten Island, capturing various structures, objects, interiors, groups and individuals.--Benedict Browne "Jocks & Nerds "
The exhibition is the first time that the complete collection of these photographs (acquired by the Library in 2008) is being displayed.--Jen Carlson "The Gothamist "
