Drawn to Chicago’s African-American West side as a white male who yearns to be a homie, Paul D’Amato continues in his latest series of black-and-white and color photography, shot in the past five years, his longstanding romance with the streets. Neither a slummer nor a voyeur, nor a failed wannabe, D’Amato is a sensitive appreciator, as is evidenced by his color street and interior portraits, in which his subjects evince nuanced emotion rather than stereotypical expressions or unease with the encounter. Although the portraits dominate the show, its gems are the involved, richly textured, edgy and exquisite studies of places and perspectives that show D’Amato off as a beauty photographer. “Catholic School Library, Cabrini-Green” (2008) depicts a wall boldly blistered with peeling paint that supports rows of collapsing shelves filled with books spilling over each other. There is a social message here, yet it is overcome by sheer compelling complexity. (Michael Weinstein)
Through October 30 at Stephen Daiter Gallery, 230 West Superior
