The work of Loyd Sandgren currently hangs on a gallery wall with internationally known photographers such as Robert Frank, Henry Cartier-Bresson, Gordon Parks and a host of others who photographed Florida from the late 1800’s through the 1960’s as part of “Imagining Florida: History and Myth in the Sunshine State”. The new show at the Boca Raton Museum of Art borrowed paintings, prints and photography representing the state of Florida from major museums and private collections and examples of Loyd’s work, thanks to Gary Monroe who curated the photography portion of the show, were selected from their home in the Jacksonville Public Library’s Florida Collection, to be included. I drove down for the patron’s opening and it was such a great experience to see Loyd’s photographs in the context of the work of other photographer’s I admire. I’ve always felt his photography was significant to Jacksonville’s history but it was humbling to see it have a place documenting Florida’s history as well. I would like to sincerely thank the Boca Raton Museum of Art’s staff for being so gracious to me during my visit. They have put together a uniquely original show that won’t be seen elsewhere and I highly recommend making the trip to Boca Raton to see it.
I know Loyd is looking down with a big grin on his face. His work was displayed beside pinup photos of Bettie Page taken by legendary Miami photographer Bunny Yeager who he greatly admired.
