Bruce Morton said he did not seriously get into photography until the fall of 1969, when he was a student at Southern Illinois University.
He said what he’s grown to enjoy about taking photos is the simple act of pushing the button on the camera.
“There’s just some sort of release. I can’t explain it very well, but I know when I’ve taken a good picture by just pushing the button,” he said.
Morton has pushed the button a countless number of times through the years, and some of the results can be seen in the exhibit “Prairie Land, Prairie People,” which remains on display through June 28 at the Western Illinois Museum, 201 S. Lafayette St. in Macomb.
The museum accepts free will donations at the door but does not charge an admission fee. It’s open Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The good side of western Illinois
Morton grew up in the Hancock County community of Bowen. After college, he spent a year as a visiting artist in in Europe before moving to Phoenix, Ariz., where he worked as a landscaper for 30 years. He moved back to Bowen in 2007.
He continued to take photos all through the years.
Morton said he wanted to show “the good side” of western Illinois while taking photos of the region.
“I just hope people enjoy it. That’s my main goal. I want people to enjoy what they’re looking at. I feel like I’ve accomplished something that way,” he said.
Morton has published three books of photos of western Illinois: Forgottonia, Forgottonia – The Audience, and Forgottonia – The Suburbs.
In addition, he donated his more than 50 years of photos to the Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas to ensure they are not lost to time.
Art as a way to look at history
The exhibit includes 30 photos. The black and white portraits in the show were shot on film. All the other images were taken with a digital camera.
“We’re using artwork as a way to show what’s distinct or interesting about our location,” said museum director Sue Scott. “Art is a great way to look at history, describe history, record history, and tell the stories of history.”
She said Morton’s work provides a beautiful depiction of what rural America looks like.
“The people, the machinery, the buildings, the lost homes, the open spaces. It’s a wonderful window into looking at this place in this time,” she said.
‘The beauty of the landscape’
Dona Lantz, president of the museum’s board, curated the show from printed photos Morton had at his home. She said Morton did “a really good job” of documenting the 16 counties of Forgottonia.
“I like the range. The beauty of the landscape,” Lantz said.
“I think his work is really beautiful and I enjoyed installing it.”
She urged people to think about the things in their lives today that should be documented so that they are not forgotten.
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