HWY 90 Gallery Exhibit: Photojournalist Alberto Tomas Halpern

Work by Marfa photojournalist Alberto Tomas Halpern will be on display at HWY 90 Gallery in Marfa from January 14 through February 25. The gallery will host a reception for the artist, open to the public, on Saturday, January 14 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Halpern, currently a senior at Marfa High School, has been photographer for The Big Bend Sentinel newspaper since 2002. The exhibit will include photographs that have appeared in the newspaper, as well as others Halpern has taken in West Texas, Mexico, Austin and New York City.

Halpern’s interest in photography began several years ago when “my parents put a camera in my hand — and changed my life,” Halpern said. His first work for the newspaper was photographing MHS football games. Although he still enjoys photographing sports, a budding interest in social issues and politics has grown to a passion that now serves as the driving force for his life and his work.

Halpern said that his work in Marfa has taught him to empathize with his subjects: Because Marfa is a small town, he knows most of the people he photographs. As photographer for the Sentinel, he has documented a wide range of human emotions, from the poignancy of prom night dances to the high emotions of city council meetings.

Halpern believes photojournalism serves a crucial role in society by documenting important events and educating the public. He particularly admires James Nachtwey, an internationally renown photojournalist whose photographs of trouble spots such as Kosovo and Rwanda have helped bring the international community’s attention to the suffering of people in those regions. Halpern said he would welcome the opportunity to be on the scene wherever trouble arises, contributing to the contemporary and historical record of world events and, when necessary, exposing atrocities for current and future generations.

The gallery is located at 407 W. San Antonio St. (HWY 90), across from the Judd Block. More information about the gallery can be found at www.hwy90gallery.com.