Faces, Places from a Chicago Photographer Now 90 Years Old


Her photos of Chicago people and places are in the collection of the Art Institute, the MCA, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Yet Barbara Crane has flown under the radar for much of her career that’s lasted nearly seven decades.

The photographer reached out to a pair of local galleries in advance of her 90th birthday. Chicago Tonight caught up with the artist.

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  • Barbara Crane, “Diagonal Lines #2,” 1980 (Courtesy Catherine Edelman Gallery)

    Barbara Crane, “Diagonal Lines #2,” 1980 (Courtesy Catherine Edelman Gallery)

  • Barbara Crane, “Little Darlings,” 2012 (Courtesy Catherine Edelman Gallery)

    Barbara Crane, “Little Darlings,” 2012 (Courtesy Catherine Edelman Gallery)

  • Barbara Crane, “Private Views,” 1981 (Courtesy Catherine Edelman Gallery)

    Barbara Crane, “Private Views,” 1981 (Courtesy Catherine Edelman Gallery)

  • Barbara Crane, “Private Views,” 1981 (Courtesy Catherine Edelman Gallery)

    Barbara Crane, “Private Views,” 1981 (Courtesy Catherine Edelman Gallery)

  • Barbara Crane, “Private Views,” 1981 (Courtesy Catherine Edelman Gallery)

    Barbara Crane, “Private Views,” 1981 (Courtesy Catherine Edelman Gallery)

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The exhibitions are called “Barbara Crane at Ninety” and “The Polaroid Years.” They are at the Stephen Daiter Gallery and the Catherine Edelman Gallery in Chicago until mid-May.


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Chicago Photographer Captures Toll of Opioids, Homelessness

New Book Focuses on Life, Work of Mysterious Photographer Vivian Maier


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