Lyman Allyn photo show explores how children live around the world

The Lyman Allyn Art Museum’s newest exhibition, “Where Children Sleep: Photographs by James Mollison,” documents the lives of children and their sleeping spaces all around the world. The show is on view through April 30.

Mollison’s studio-style portraits of children are accompanied by detailed studies of their “bedrooms,” ranging from large, decorated rooms to the barest spaces set aside for sleep. The photographs and stories examine childhood, family, cultural identity, hope, doubt, comfort, and inequity.

“We’re excited to share these images with our museum visitors,” said Eileen Donovan, director of learning and engagement, who noted that a lecture in conjunction with the exhibition, scheduled for March 9, features Nancy Parent, an associate professor of behavioral and social sciences at Mitchell College in New London. “After the discussion, we hope visitors will be able to view the works through a new lens.”

Interested in human, social, and environmental subjects, Mollison has published five books of photography. “Where Children Sleep,” first published in 2010, has a new 2022 edition.

Following his interest in the world of childhood, Mollison published “Playground” in 2015, which examines recess and considers the environments in which children learn and play. His other books are “James and Other Apes,” “The Memory of Pablo Escobar” and “The Disciples.“

The Lyman Allyn, at 625 Williams St. in New London, is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. and 1-5 p.m. Sun. Admission is $12 for adults, $9 seniors, $5 students, $7 active military personnel, and free for kids under 12, for members, and for New London residents. Visit lymanallyn.org or call (860) 443-2545.