Repatriation, Barre, MA (2015 – 2022)
These images represent my participation in the long-drawn-out repatriation of Lakota items stolen from the Wounded Knee 1890 Massacre site.

Deported Veterans (2021)
Deported U.S. Military Veterans in Cuidad de Jaurez, MX

Requiem for the Innocent, El Paso and Beyond (2019)
We have been driven to collaboratively assemble this work, with sad hearts and empathy, to help remember and honor all the victims of senseless acts of violence perpetrated against the innocent, in El Paso and elsewhere. We are tired of hearing the stories of guns being used against groups of random victims, too often for how they look, speak, worship, identify, or any such rationalization. Diversity in the world is something to celebrate, not fear or hate.

Family 2009 – 2018
From 2009 – 2018 my father, mother, and uncle each became ill. I spent time at least weekly with them and cherished the time we had together before they each passed on.

Mni Wiconi, Honoring the Water Protectors (2016-2017)
I supported the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and their allies with the indigenous led movement resisting placing the Dakota Access Pipeline under the Missouri River, their water source.

House/Home, A Work in Progress (2013-2016)
As I travel across the country and internationally I am struck by the pervasive presence of extreme economic inequality—a condition that seems to be worsening, especially here in America.

Habitation, Production/Consumption
An Image/Audio Composition
All photographs by John Willis
Audio composition by Matan Rubinstein

Toule Sleng (2009-2011)
Tuol Sleng the genocide museum, also known as S-21 a Khmer Rouge torture and execution prison from 1975 – 1979 where estimates on executed prisoners range from 14,000 – 20,000.

A View from the Rez (1993 – 2011)
These photographs were made while visiting Pine Ridge Reservation, tribal home of the Oglala Lakota Sioux People.

Deteriorating Media (2010-2011)
The series of images titled, Disintegrating Media were all taken at the home of my Lakota friend Leroy of Lost Dog Creek who has been incarcerated for over six years now.

Recycled Realities (1998 – 2002)
These images are representative of a body of work executed from 1998 through 2002. The images are found still-life photographs made from bales of scrap paper on its way to being recycled, which became part of the collaborated publication of the same name with Tom Young.

State Hospital (1994 – 1995)
While we were both experiencing major life changes, a colleague and I spent more than a year photographing the abandoned remains of the State Hospital for the Insane in Northampton, Massachusetts.

River Family (1995)
My family and I live by a river, and we often spend summer days in the water. The images in this ongoing series are taken with an underwater camera during such cooling-off moments.

Landscapes (1989 – 1993)

Power & Glory (1991 – 1992)
These images were made during the first Gulf War. I was responding to the symbolism being portrayed by the concept of patriotism meaning you must support the flag and the soldiers fighting the war only by agreeing with the concept of the war.

Nurturing / Nurturance (1985 – 1990)
Becoming a parent in the mid-1980’s rekindled my enthusiasm in all aspects of life. Everything around me seemed new and meaningful, and I was struck by how vulnerable we are, and by how much influence we have in shaping the identities of future generations.

Aging in White (1981 – 1985)
During the early 1980’s I spent four years photographing in nursing homes and a memorial home as a response to my grandfather being placed in one.