ALEX WEBB. ERRAND AND EPIPHANY
EARTH Foundation, in collaboration with Magnum Photos, presents the new exhibition project Errand and Epiphany, a solo exhibition by American photographer Alex Webb (San Francisco, 1952), a member of the Magnum Photosagency. The exhibition is open to the public from Thursday, March 27, to Sunday, September 21, 2025, at the Art House of Eataly Verona.
Errand and Epiphany was first presented in 2023 at the Museum Helmond in the Netherlands as the first institutional survey of Webb’s work in the last thirty years. Now, it arrives in Verona with a new layout designed specifically for the Foundation’s spaces.
The exhibition features 78 photographs, showcasing the originality of one of the pioneers of the second generation of photographers working in color. Webb has the ability to transform visual language into an emotional and vibrant narrative. The title is inspired by American writer Rebecca Solnit, who wrote: “The magic of the road is the combination of errand and epiphany.” For Webb, the errand is collecting fragments of people’s stories in remote parts of the world, while the epiphany is the moment of revelation—when the ordinary turns into the unexpected.
With a background in history and literature, Alex Webb decided in his early twenties to devote himself to photography as a photojournalist. After an initial period working in black and white, capturing life in a small town in South America, he started shooting in color during his long journeys to the edges of the world. Haiti, Mexico, Sub-Saharan Africa, India, Turkey, and the United States are some of the countries where he sought, with a voracious and curious eye, stories of daily life, marginalization, and oppression, transforming them into magical narratives.
The photographs in this exhibition reveal Webb’s spirit as a street photographer, as he himself defines it. His approach is driven by a sense of curiosity and discovery toward places and the people who inhabit them: “Every project is a journey without a clear destination. Once the journey begins, photography tells me where to go.” The scenarios he captures do not just tell stories but suggest unexpected perspectives and visions. Within harmonious compositions, each image reveals everyday scenes of work, leisure, play, escape, and waiting, marked by sharp shadows and bold geometries, where the often-unaware subjects become protagonists of a daily theater—sometimes leaving the viewer with a sense of unease.
By shooting on the street, Alex Webb captures moments of pure liveliness, destined to transform into something entirely different in an instant. His style is often described as “organized chaos”, bordering on saturation—not just because of his vivid use of color but also due to the multitude of subjects that populate his images. Webb masterfully synthesizes his vision within each photograph, paying close attention to detail and storytelling, layering multiple planes within the frame until the background completes a complex scenography.
The use of color film gives Alex Webb’s photographic research a highly distinctive character. He is fascinated by the blinding light and intense colors of the places he visits. As he explains: “For me, color is rooted in emotions. It’s not about seeing colors, but about feeling the emotions they convey.” Colors play a decisive role in his creative process, visually and emotionally guiding him through his journeys of discovery. Emotion is central to his work—he moves freely, without preconceptions, driven by curiosity and instinct. His photography is also influenced by his literary background, including writers like Graham Greene and Gabriel García Márquez, as well as philosophical reflections that have shaped his poetic imagery.
Errand and Epiphany at EARTH Foundation is a special opportunity to experience the work of Alex Webb, whose career is marked by prestigious international awards, including the Leopold Godowsky Award for Color Photography (1988) and the Leica Medal of Excellence (2000).
Exhibition Hours:
Thursday to Sunday, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Admission Fees:
- General Admission: €5
- Spontaneous Guided Tour: € 10 english language
FREE ENTRY for:
- Visitors with disabilities and one accompanying person
- Children up to 10 years old
SPECIAL PROMOTIONS:
Scheduled guided tours: €5 + €5 admission fee (italian language)
