Photography Feature: Maggie Diaz

Vivian Maier’s work has connected kindred spirits all over the globe.  More than a year ago, I received a letter from a curator named Gwendolen DeLacy from Melbourne, Australia.  Gwen manages the photography collection of a woman named Maggie Diaz, referred to by many as a prodigal daughter of Chicago photography.  Known in the 50s as Maggie Besson, she walked the same Chicago neighborhoods as Vivian Maier – often carrying the same camera.  Like Maier, she walked on both sides of the street – never intimidated by anyone.  Although Maggie had spent time as a domestic help, she wasn’t much good at it, but was lucky enough to stumble into work as a Girl Friday in an ad agency in the early 50s and soon became a commercial photographer.  Diaz recorded the development of the Lower North Center project (later known as Cabrini Green) and was resident photographer at The Tavern Club on Michigan Avenue. In her spare time, she walked the back streets recording the secret lives of children.  In 1961 she accepted a one-way ticket to Australia as a divorce gift from her Australian husband.  She was never to be seen in Chicago again. 

The State Library of Victoria (in Melbourne) has acquired her archive from the past 50 years, and her works are now held in the National Gallery of Australia.  Something else she has in common with Maier – most of her collection was never printed...until now.

Maggie has not lost any of her Chicago sparkle and at 87 years young, she’s still going.  Hopefully one of these days she’ll make it back to Chicago for a visit. For more information on Maggie Diaz, visit her site at www.maggiediaz.com.au.  Additionally an ABC News feature on Diaz can be viewed at http://www.abc.net.au/arts/stories/s3308727.htm.

Jeff Goldstein