Exploring Youth: A Photographic Journey Through Time and Emotion

Aperture and Magnum Photos have joined forces for an exclusive Square Print Sale, themed 'Youth.' This captivating collection features more than a hundred images carefully selected by celebrated photographers and their estates. The exhibition explores the multifaceted nature of youth, portraying it not just as a fleeting phase of life but as a dynamic and enduring state of mind. Each photograph captures the raw energy of first experiences—from nascent love to initial activism—and the profound self-discoveries that define formative years. These museum-quality prints, available for a limited time until October 26, are offered at accessible prices starting from $110, with proceeds directly benefiting the participating artists and bolstering Aperture's extensive publishing and educational programs worldwide.

A Deep Dive into Photographic Narratives of Youth

This special collaboration showcases a diverse range of artistic perspectives on what it means to be young. Photographers such as Joel Meyerowitz, Danny Lyon, and Zanele Muholi contribute their unique insights, illustrating how youth embodies a spirit of becoming. The collection encapsulates profound moments of growth and revelation, inviting viewers to reflect on their own journeys and the continuous evolution of self.

• Abbas's photograph, taken in San Agustín Oapan, Guerrero, Mexico, in 1985, captures children playing joyfully in the Río Balsas. Abbas, who once envisioned a heroic journalistic career, found his true passion in photography, preferring the visual narrative to written accounts.
• Arielle Bobb-Willis's 2017 piece, set in New Orleans, showcases her unique approach to portraiture. Inspired by painters like Kandinsky and Jacob Lawrence, she views her subjects as integral colors on a canvas, transforming traditional photography into abstract, vibrant compositions that challenge conventional notions of a portrait.
• Kwame Brathwaite's circa 1962 image from Harlem features a young child observing a James Brown concert advertisement outside the Apollo Theater. This photograph eloquently contrasts the child's innocence with Brown's confident presence, symbolizing the aspirations and possibilities that the iconic venue represented for the community.
• Danny Clinch's 1999 portrait of Bruce Springsteen at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, marks a significant first meeting between the two. Clinch, a long-time admirer of Springsteen, captured the artist during a pivotal moment of reunion with the E Street Band, evoking a sense of nostalgic admiration and rekindled musical camaraderie.
• Ernest Cole's 1971 photograph from the USA reflects a youthful individual channeling blues legends. James Sanders of the Ernest Cole Family Trust likens the subject to a 'street' version of the mythical Stagger Lee, emphasizing the enduring presence of past narratives and cultural influences within contemporary life.
• Baldwin Lee's 'Untitled' work from 1983–89 draws a poignant contrast between a new baseball glove and a torn trash bag, hinting at the potential presence of other family members through hanging clothes, suggesting themes of family, aspiration, and urban realities.
• Danny Lyon's 1965 capture from Uptown, Chicago, on Clifton Street, reveals a deep connection to its subjects. A former teen from the photograph, Rita Knight, later expressed her enduring affection for Lyon's work, highlighting the personal and lasting impact of his visual storytelling on individuals who lived through those times.
• Diana Markosian's 'L’étoile' from her 'Fantômes' series (2025) depicts her return to ballet through photography. This work allows her to revisit her childhood memories, immersing herself in the familiar world of dance, from the preparatory rituals to the performance itself, fostering a profound reconnection with her past.
• Joel Meyerowitz's 1984 photograph from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, portrays his daughter Ariel. Meyerowitz reflects on the miraculous transition from childhood to young womanhood, observing the subtle yet profound changes as a father, underscoring the wondrous journey of life's developments.
• Adam Pape's 'Untitled' from 'The Roses' series (2017–20) explores the dynamic energy of New York City streets. Pape was drawn to roses planted near a police station, using them as a symbolic 'soft red veil' and a guide through the city's diverse landscapes, highlighting unseen connections between disparate urban locales.
• Shikeith's 'Oche (With Candle)' (2021) delves into the spiritual and emotional lives of Black men, rendered in a distinctive blue tonality. As part of his series 'Notes Towards Becoming a Spill,' the artwork explores the fluidity of identity, depicting Blackness, masculinity, and yearning as evolving states. The candle symbolizes ritual, remembrance, and enlightenment, creating a sanctuary where vulnerability and strength coexist.
• Anastasia Samoylova's 'House Flag' (2024), taken in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is part of her 'Atlantic Coast' project. The flag, simultaneously announcing and concealing the life behind it, serves as a powerful symbol of home and belonging, echoing the thematic tensions found in Robert Frank's 'The Americans' while recontextualizing them in a contemporary setting.
• Carmen Winant's 'Have you cut off your hands yet?' (2025) draws inspiration from Marge Piercy’s poem, exploring themes of self-negation within destructive relationships. Winant's artistic process, involving the meticulous cutting and bathing of images, symbolizes her hands as a conduit for creation and self-discovery.
• Zanele Muholi's poignant photograph from circa 1978 shows her as a six-year-old in Umlazi township, Durban. She recalls her mother's simple acts of love—sharing apples and bringing home discarded food—which, despite their modesty, brought immense joy and shaped her childhood memories.

The 'Youth' collection is more than just an exhibition; it's a testament to the enduring power of photography to capture the essence of human experience. It prompts us to consider youth not as a mere chronological phase but as an eternal wellspring of curiosity, aspiration, and personal transformation. This collaboration between Aperture and Magnum Photos enriches our understanding of this universal theme, offering a visual dialogue that resonates across generations and cultures.