Fort Works Art Gallery Presents: Laura Wilson: The HeartlandExhibition Dates: December 12, 2024 – February 22, 2025
It’s the early hours of a Texas morning, the soft glow of dawn spilling across the open range, and the unmistakable sound of hooves striking the earth in rhythm with the pulse of the land. This is the moment Laura Wilson has spent decades capturing — a moment that reveals not just the landscape, but the spirit of a place, a people, and an identity that, for many, seems to be vanishing. "The Heartland," Wilson’s highly anticipated solo exhibition at Fort Works Art Gallery, opens a window into the world of the American West as it stands today — vibrant, resilient, and deeply connected to tradition.
This exhibition, which runs from December 12, 2024, to February 22, 2025, marks the second major show by Wilson at Fort Works, following her initial presentation here in 2017. It’s a fitting return, as Wilson’s relationship with Texas is as enduring as the land itself. Though originally from Massachusetts, she’s called Dallas home since 1966 — a place where she raised three sons, perhaps you’ve heard of them, actors Owen, Luke, and Andrew Wilson, alongside her late husband, Robert Wilson. Over the years, Wilson’s lens has explored not just the heart of Texas, but the soul of the American West.
For over four decades, Wilson has immersed herself in the everyday lives of the West—photographing cowboys, rodeo trick riders, football games, homecoming parades, and, of course, the iconic neon horse signs that punctuate Texas’s small towns. Her work is not just about the image; it’s about the story behind each face, the history behind each gesture. Whether she’s chronicling the lives of cattle ranchers in West Texas or capturing a quiet moment in a remote Hutterite community in Montana, her images speak with an authenticity that’s rare in today’s world of curated social media snapshots.
Wilson’s photographs are unflinchingly real. They don’t just show us the West, they immerse us in it. From the high-octane energy of a rodeo to the tender, quiet stillness of a rancher's early morning routine, her camera allows us to see not just the surface of these worlds, but the beating heart beneath. It’s a portrait of a region — sometimes gritty, often glorious — that doesn’t shy away from its complexities.
What’s perhaps most compelling about “The Heartland” is its sense of intimacy. Wilson is not an outsider taking snapshots from a distance. Her work is a result of years spent forging relationships, building trust, and gaining access to places and people most photographers would never get close to. Her images feel lived in, like they were made in the moment, but they also tell stories that could only be told by someone who understands what it means to be part of this world. It’s this deep connection that sets Wilson’s work apart.
As Lauren Saba, Director of Fort Works Art Gallery, notes in a release, "Wilson’s ability to capture the feelings of those of us who have always lived in Texas, and create such authentic work for those who have not, makes her such an important photographer and one who is very special to us and our city."
It’s true.
The significance of Wilson’s photography isn’t just in the moments she captures — it’s in her ability to document history in real time, to preserve stories that might otherwise be lost. Whether it's a rodeo cowboy in full regalia or a solitary figure gazing over a wind-swept field, her subjects are never just the people of the West; they are symbols of something deeper, something enduring.
Her connection to the American West, particularly Texas, is both personal and professional. It was while working as an assistant to the legendary Richard Avedon on his In the American West project that Wilson first began to understand the power of photography as a tool for cultural storytelling. Under Avedon’s tutelage, she learned the art of capturing not just the surface of a subject, but the essence of their life and identity. These lessons have guided her throughout her career, and in many ways, The Heartland feels like a natural progression of that early apprenticeship — a culmination of years spent learning, observing, and ultimately, becoming part of the story.
Wilson’s photographs resonate with us not just because of their technical skill or aesthetic beauty, but because of the dignity and respect she extends to her subjects. There is no judgment, no attempt to romanticize or trivialize. Whether she’s photographing a homecoming queen at a high school football game or a lone cowboy on horseback, her images convey a deep respect for the complexity of the people and places she’s photographing.
For those of us who have called the West home — or who have romanticized it from afar — Wilson’s work feels like a revelation. Her photographs offer a window into a world that feels simultaneously timeless and urgent, a reminder of what’s at stake as the definition of American identity continues to evolve. In a cultural moment when regional identity is at the forefront of national conversations, Wilson’s work stands as a testament to the strength, resilience, and shared humanity of the people who live here.
“Laura Wilson: The Heartland” is a must-see for anyone seeking to engage with the depth, beauty, and complexity of Western culture. Her work has been exhibited at leading institutions like the Amon Carter Museum of American Art and the Booth Western Art Museum, and now, it’s time for Fort Works Art Gallery to showcase her remarkable vision of the American West. The exhibition opens with a reception on December 12, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and runs through February 22, 2025.
Come for the art, stay for the stories — and don’t miss the chance to experience the work of one of the most important photographers documenting the American West today.
Exhibition Details:
Location: Fort Works Art Gallery, Fort Worth, Texas
Dates: December 12, 2024 – February 22, 2025
Opening Reception: December 12, 2024 | 6:00 - 9:00 PM
