Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Shirk (Richard K.) photographs
MS.418
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
University of California, Santa Cruz
Title: Richard K. Shirk photographs
Creator:
Shirk, Richard K., 1924-1984
Identifier/Call Number: MS.418
Physical Description:
0.5 Linear Feet
1 document box
Physical Description:
1.13 GB
228 digital files
Date (inclusive): 1970-1985
Abstract: 35 color photographs and CD-ROM disk,
1970-1983; 3 page resume summarizing Richard Shirk's education and experience.
Language of Material:
English
Collection open for research. Digital files are available in the UCSC Special Collections
and Archives reading room. Some files may require reformatting before they can be accessed.
Technical limitations may hinder the Library's ability to provide access to some digital
files. Access to digital files on original carriers is prohibited; users must request to
view access copies. Contact Special Collections and Archives in advance to request access to
digital files.
Property rights for this collection reside with the University of California. Literary
rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. The publication
or use of any work protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use for research or
educational purposes requires written permission from the copyright owner. Responsibility
for obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Richard K. Shirk photographs. MS 418. Special Collections and Archives, University Library,
University of California, Santa Cruz.
Born July 24, 1924 in Syracuse, New York, Richard K. Shirk started his photographic career
in 1939 at the
Grosse Pointe News in Michigan. He joined the
U.S. Air Force during WWII and was attached to the Night Photo Reconnaissance Squadron where
he worked with Dr. Harold Edgerton on the development of electronic flash for night
photography. While in the service he learned aerial photography and was crew chief in
Europe, 1944-1945.
After the war he attended Kenyon College in Ohio and earned a B.A. in Philosophy. He served
an apprenticeship in New York under Charles Kerlee in commercial photography, then started
his own studio in the Detroit, Michigan area in 1950 specializing in architectural
photography. His clients included Eero Saarinen, Minuro Yamasaki,
Architectural Record,
Architectural Forum, and
Better Homes and Gardens. He expanded his studio, shifted back to
commercial photography and was hired by Dow Chemical Co., 3M Corp, Bendix Corp. and others.
In the late 1970's he expanded his knowledge of color print making and learned experimental
underwater photography.
He won awards from the Detroit Art Directors Club and the Focus '77 Show.
He was guest lecturer at Western Michigan University in 1972, and taught classes at Wayne
State University during 1978-1980.
His exhibitions include:
- "Trees, Patterns and People" -- Scarab Club, Detroit - 1973
- "Singular Color Images" Scarab Club, Detroit and Midland Gallery, Midland - 1977
- Detroit Artists Guild - 1977
- Focus '77 Show, Battle Creek - 1977
- Halsted Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan - 1979
- Detroit Artists Market - 1980
Collections:
- Toledo Art Museum
- Detroit Institute of Art
- K-Mart Corp.
- Alden Dow, and other private collectors
Shirk moved to Monterey County, California in 1984 and died in 1985.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection contains 35 8x10 inch color photographs by Richard K. Shirk from the
Halsted Gallery exhibition in Detroit of May 5-June 2, 1979. The photographs are contained
in a 3 ring binder, with a 3 page resume highlighting the education and experience of
Richard Shirk's life. Also included is a CD contianing selected digital scans of Shirk's
photographic works circa 1970-1983.
Photographs are in original binder order.
The collection was processed by Debra Rousspoulos in 2011. The digital portion of the
collection was processed by Kate Dundon in 2021.
MS 118 Patricia and Richard Shirk Collection of Photographs.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Photography, Artistic
Shirk, Richard K., 1924-1984