Documentary photography of the American counterculture

Originally published in 1971, Tulsa It is a seminal work of documentary photography and American counterculture. Through 64 black and white images, Larry Clark portrays the lives of Midwestern youth in the 1960s, depicting scenes of violence, drug use, and relationships marked by marginalization. Considered a direct and unfiltered testimony, the book generated controversy for its raw honesty and has become a touchstone for understanding the social and cultural changes of the era.

Far from the idealized image of American suburbia, Clark reveals the hidden life behind the facades: guns, drugs, and sex are part of the daily routine for a group of young people who, at first glance, seem ordinary. The work, strongly autobiographical, documents the experiences of his circle of friends over three years, offering an unprecedented "insider" perspective. While photographers like Robert Frank explored the United States as external observers, Clark provides an internal viewpoint that combines documentary style with the visual narrative of classic photo essays, but with an intimacy and rawness that would influence subsequent generations.

The influence of Tulsa It has been decisive in contemporary photography, along with the work of authors such as Nan Goldin, and is considered a milestone within so-called intimate photography.

Author's biography

Larry Clark (Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1943) is a photographer and filmmaker. Known for his provocative and realistic work, he has explored themes such as adolescence, violence, and drug addiction in American society. Tulsa It is his first published work and one of the most influential within the genre.