Davies, Diana, 1938-

Rally in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Central Park, New York City, April 5, 1968. © Diana Davies.

Musician, theatre worker, and photographer Diana Davies became a photojournalist in the 1960s. One of the principal documentarians of the second-wave women's movement the U.S., she also photographed in Africa, Central America, the Middle East, and Europe. She documented the civil rights and peace movements, poor people's and welfare rights movements, and farmworkers' struggles. Throughout her career, Davies has photographed various creators and performers of cultural expression, including musicians, writers, craftspersons, dancers, circus and theatre people, potters, and artists. Her photographs of individuals run the gamut, from obscure street people to well-known public figures. Davies' work has been published in books, journals, newspapers, and magazines, and is included in collections at the New York Public Library, the Smithsonian Institution, Howard University, and the Swarthmore Peace Collection. Her book Photojourney : photographs was published in 1989.

In the 1990s, Davies abandoned her career in photography (except for photographs of friends) in order to work as a graphic artist, painter and illustrator, with an emphasis on the subject of social change. Davies writes plays with social justice themes, having throughout her life participated in and supported all aspects of "people's theatre." As a committed peace and social justice activist she also works with organizations promoting social change, and helps feed and clothe the needy in her community.

From the guide to the Diana Davies Papers MS 309., 1960s-1996 (ongoing), (Sophia Smith Collection)

Musician; Photographer.

Photojournalist since early 1960s. Began as a musician, worked with various peace organizations, published in various newspaper journals, books, magazines; has had exhibitions of her work. Her photographs are included in collections of the Smithsonian, Harvard University, and Swarthmore Peace Collection.

From the description of Papers 1960-1996 (ongoing). (Smith College). WorldCat record id: 47925545

Diana Davies, a photographer, began her career as a musician in the early 1960's.

Her interest in pursuing photography as a profession began when she took pictures of fellow musicians. Since that time she has photographed a wide variety of subjects from individuals engaged in daily activities to demonstrations for gay and lesbian rights. Davies' photographs have been published in many newspapers, journals, books and magazines, such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Boston Globe, Life, and Sing Out!

From the description of Diana Davies collection, 1969-1978. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122615282

From the guide to the Diana Davies photographs, 1969-1978, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)