Aaron Siskind (American, 1903-1992), born in New York, studied literature and long believed he would become a writer. But in 1930 his photographic career began when he received a camera as a gift. In 1932 he joined the Film and Photo League and began producing social documentary images, creating such series as Harlem Document. In the early 40s Siskind started to experiment with abstraction–he photographed graffiti, peeling plaster, sections of signs, road surfaces, and found objects. Many of his powerful mid-century images reflect the influence of abstract-expressionist painters of that period, many of whom were his friends including Kline, Motherwell, and de Kooning. And like the impact these painters had on their medium, Siskind transformed photography as means of artistic expression. Also a life-long and influencial teacher, Siskind moved to Chicago upon invitation from his friend and colleague Harry Callahan and taught photography at the Institute of Design for twenty years (1951–71).