RFK, California 1968. Photograph by Jesse Alexander.
Renowned photographer Jesse Alexander says he didn’t even have a press pass when he took a pilgrimage to Delano to see young Robert F. Kennedy on the campaign trail. “I was really a fan of RFK and was very aware of his interest in farm workers and his work with Cesar Chavez,” says Alexander. These never-before publically viewed images were taken on the campaign trail in San Francisco and the Central Valley in California a short time before Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in Los Angeles.
Alexander, a legendary motorsports photographer since the early 1950s when he covered the original Mexican Road Race, says that no matter what his subject, a passion for beauty and an interest in people consistently drive his work. “It doesn’t really matter what you’re shooting,” says the 88-year-old. “I’m just a happy snapper.”
Alexander will share these historic images for the first time in an exhibition from Aug. 19-Sept. 16 at Patricia Clarke Studio, 410 Palm Ave. A-18, Carpinteria. Fifty percent of all sale proceeds benefit The Fund for Santa Barbara. In addition, Alexander will give a free artist talk with Clarke at the studio on Sept. 9 from 4-5 p.m.
RFK, California 1968. Photograph by Jesse Alexander.
RFK, California 1968. Photograph by Jesse Alexander.
RFK, California 1968. Photograph by Jesse Alexander.
RFK, California 1968. Photograph by Jesse Alexander.
RFK, California 1968. Photograph by Jesse Alexander.
—Leslie Dinaberg
Originally published in the Fall 2017 issue of Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine. Click here to see the story as it appeared in print: Jesse Alexander RFK Photos Seasons Fall 2017
