After reading about this exhibit in New York Magazine a few weeks ago, I made it my business to see Hank Willis Thomas’ “Unbranded: A Century of White Women, 1915-2015” at the Jack Shainman Gallery.

My obsession for the culture of the 1920s and 1950s really made me appreciate this exhibit. Interestingly, all of these portraits are advertisements striped of the words that go along with them. I wish I could go back in time to see Thomas’ earlier exhibit of the same concept, titled “Unbranded: Reflections in Black by Corporate America, 1968-2008.” I’m sure it was amazing.

The exhibit really makes you think about how different picture ads would be without words. They just look like normal pictures you’d see in a history textbook or on the wall in a nice house.

Not surprisingly, some of my favorites in the exhibit were ads from the 1920s and the 1950s. And also the ones that featured couples. Can’t help my hopeless romantic eye!

1. 1922 (left)

2. 1953 (far right)

3. 1929

4. 1939 

5. 1948 & 1947 (left & second from left)

6. 1938

7. 1958 (right)

Can we expect to see a “Century of Men” anytime soon Mr. Thomas?

Be sure to check out this exhibit before it closes on May 23rd!