Jackie Nickerson at Jack Shainman Gallery

If these photographs of farm workers holding tools of their trade look like they’re wearing masks, it’s due in part to artist Jackie Nicherson’s desire to make documentary photography that doesn’t exploit its subject.  Instead, her recent series, ‘Terrain,’ shot on Southern and East African farms, zeros in on part-hidden individuals to focus attention one of Africa’s biggest industries. (At Jack Shainman Gallery’s 20th Street location through Feb 15th).  

Jackie Nickerson, installation view of ‘Terrain,’ at Jack Shainman Gallery, February, 2014.