TOM JIMISON

TOM JIMISON

BEFORE THEY VANISH:
Images of the American South

In 1993 Tom Jimison started a three-year photographic project recording the distinctive but vanishing downtown facades, churches, and other structures unique to the small towns of rural Tennessee. He has traveled thousands of miles visiting and photographing more than 60 Tennessee towns. The images were selected primarily for their creative content, the design of light and texture and the relationship between shape and space. However these images also serve to document the unique architectural style, flavor and character of Tennessee, at a time when one of a kind old structures are being rapidly demolished in the name of progress.

Tom Jimison is Professor of Photography in the College of Mass Communication at the Middle Tennessee State University. He is also curator of the Baldwin Photographic Gallery which exhibits photographic shows of national stature.