Bill Parker 1975

Mike Mandel’s 1975 photograph "Bill Parker" depicts a man throwing a baseball in front of a brick wall. The man’s face is contorted in a joyful expression while his arm is raised. The photograph is a black and white portrait that is part of the artist’s series of “instant” photographs from a set of baseball cards. Mandel's series is a commentary on American popular culture and the rituals of youth. "Bill Parker" exemplifies Mandel's focus on the everyday, often overlooked subject matter, in this case a simple baseball card portrait. The photograph also shows the artist’s interest in documenting the vernacular, specifically the subject matter of the everyday.