Guide to the Richard K. Shirk photographs

Debra Rousspoulos
University of California, Santa Cruz
2011
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz 95064
speccoll@library.ucsc.edu

Note

Finding aid updated in 2018.


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

Access Restrictions

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.

Use Restrictions

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.

Preferred Citation

Richard K. Shirk photographs. MS 418. Special Collections and Archives, University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz.

Biography

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.

Arrangement

Photographs are in original binder order.

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Debra Rousspoulos in 2011. The digital portion of the collection was processed by Kate Dundon in 2021.

Related Material

MS 118 Patricia and Richard Shirk Collection of Photographs.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Photography, Artistic
Shirk, Richard K., 1924-1984

Box 1

# 117 Hose and Porch, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 104 Cut Out Door, Virgin Islands, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 141 Tin, Antiqua, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 103 Green Door, Montreal, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 108 Rust, Bayfield, Ontario, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 125 Cabbage Leaves, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 129 Fire Escape, Tire Tread, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 121 St. Louis Arch #1, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 122 St. Louis Arch #2, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 101 Door Knob, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 118 Door and Wall, Odell, Illinois, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 114 Trees, Lake Powell, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 126 Purple Spot, Mexico, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 127 Oil Pattern, Mexico, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 124 Airport, Borrego Springs, California, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 143 Salt Piles, Bonaire, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 119 Barns, Ohio, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 110 Salt Ponds #1 San Francisco Bay, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 111 Salt Ponds #2 San Francisco Bay, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 112 Salt Ponds #3 San Francisco Bay, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 113 Salt Ponds #4 San Francisco Bay, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 142 School Bus, Los Angeles, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 116 Slide in Fog, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 105 Grass on Pond, Yellowstone, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 107 Boat Wake, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 131 Dune #1, Death Valley, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 133 Dune #3, Death Valley, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 137 Dune #7, Death Valley, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 135 Dune #5, Death Valley, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 132 Dune #2, Death Valley, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 109 Sunrise, Mono Lake, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 120 Barns, Killarney, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 128 Stop Signs, Mexico, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 123 Spindrift, Nova Scotia, 1970-1979

Box 1

# 102 Sunflowers, North Dakota, 1970-1979