Faces: Black and White Photographs by David Asgard Gilbert (1964-1978)

An exhibition of black and white photographs by David (Asgard) Gilbert is on display in the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum Hall Gallery through July 5. Gilbert’s second wife, St. Johnsbury native and resident Joan Weston, is the curator of the photographs and now offers them for public view. “David had immense self-confidence; he could teach himself anything,” said Weston. “As the keeper of his photographic legacy, I pledged to myself to show an aspect of his complex story.”

David (Asgard) Gilbert (1938-2021) was born in Waterville, Maine.  He joined the Marines and specialized in aerial photography and military intelligence. He attended Colby College, majoring in English. 

David earned a reputation for his human-interest photographs as a freelance photographer for the UPI and AP wire services. He covered the war in Vietnam, and also photographed presidents, senators, and other public figures. In contrast to his political and wartime photographs, he enjoyed capturing images of ordinary people on the streets or at work.

In 1968 Gilbert and Weston lived in England, then traveled throughout Europe and the Middle East. During a stop in Israel, David worked for the Jerusalem Post. Their subsequent journey back to the United States included travels by train to countries behind the Iron Curtain, which provided opportunities for more photos.   

A map of the couple’s travels is included in the exhibition.

The exhibition is free, ADA accessible, and open to the public through July 7.