Faces of Humanity and Mankind

Featuring a selection of photographs from national award-winning photojournalist Richard E. Kozak’s long career documenting stories from around the world.

From a single moment, photojournalism has the power to convey the depth and emotion of a complex story. Skill, timing, fearlessness, and, often, an ability to establish bonds with people who offer exclusive access to a significant occasion come together to capture history, humanity and meaning in one image. The Faces of Humanity and Mankind exhibition features a selection of photographs from national award-winning photojournalist Richard (Rick) E. Kozak’s long career documenting stories from around the world.

For over 30 years Mr. Kozak covered the United States and the world as a photojournalist. The majority of those years were with the Washington Times Corporation. Honored for his excellence in photojournalism by the White House News Photographers Association, Kozak was awarded “Picture of the Year” in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989 and 1990. 

In 1990, Mr. Kozak was granted special access to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Colin Powell prior to Operation Desert Shield when no media had this privilege. He was the only journalist in a closed door meeting with Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and his leadership that ultimately shut down the federal government in 1995. 

He became Senior Staff Photographer in 2004 with Army Times Publishing, a Gannett Corporation Publication, covering the escalating war in Iraq. Wounded in 2005 while embedded with the military, he suffered a 30% hearing loss. He returned to the front lines with the Marines two days following his injury and over the next three years he would continue to return and cover combat areas in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

“I have been gifted and privileged to witness moments of reality without bias or preconceived thoughts and ideas,” Kozak stated when reflecting on his photojournalism career. He continued, “To see and experience history unfold as it happens, in a truthful manner, is the cornerstone of the credibility of the photojournalist.” 

Mr. Kozak now lives in the Sandoval County area with his wife, Elaine, where he is enjoying life in New Mexico and continuing his love of photography. 

Join us Friday, August 24, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm for an artist’s reception and conversation with Richard Kozak at the New Mexico Humanities Council, 4115 Silver SE, Albuquerque. The exhibit opens August 20 and runs through September 28, 2018. Visitors are welcomed Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.