Gallery review: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame exhibit at The Women’s Museum

by Sarah Crisman

DALLAS — Just in time for the State Fair of Texas, The Women's Museum: An Institute for the Future opens a rocking exhibit honoring two photojournalists who have captured the energy (both positive and otherwise) of the last 30 years of rock and roll. Music Seen: Rock 'n' Roll Photojournalists spotlights the stellar work of Lynn Goldsmith and Janet Macoska straight from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland, Ohio.

Lynn Goldsmith is an award-winning portrait photographer whose work has appeared in Life, Newsweek, Time, and Rolling Stone. Over the course of her 30-year career, her subjects have varied from entertainment personalities to the ordinary man on the street. She has a particular knack for providing the viewer a glimpse into the nature of the human spirit -- take one look at the candid snapshot of Syd Vicious' cat-scratched chest beside Nancy Spungen's vacant eyes and you'll agree. (Check out the photo gallery to the right. Syd and Nancy are a few photos in.) Music Seen features 38 of Goldsmith's photographs, including shots of Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, Tina Turner, and The Beatles (many from the height of their young careers).

For more 25 years, Cleveland-based photojournalist Janet Macoska has been capturing some of rock's most legendary performers through the keen lens of her camera. Macoska's work has appeared in Rolling Stone, People, New York Times, and London Times. Supernovas like David Bowie and Led Zeppelin have even used her photos on their albums. This exhibit features over 40 of her most highly regarded photographs, including shots of Madonna, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, and Queen. Check out the gallery below -- and be sure to read the captions that Macoska provided. Her work is yet further proof that every picture is worth 1,000 words.

In conjunction with the exhibit, The Women's Museum honors local female music talent with the Girls that Rock! Music Festival. Music Seen will run from September 25 through November 1.