Dana Gluckstein

Dana Gluckstein (b. 1950s) is an American photographer whose powerful portraiture bridges the realms of fine art, social justice, and cultural preservation. Renowned for her ability to capture the dignity, strength, and spirit of her subjects, Gluckstein has photographed world leaders, Nobel Laureates, and Indigenous peoples across the globe. Her black-and-white portraits are timeless in their aesthetic and humanist in their intent, offering viewers an intimate connection with individuals whose lives and experiences often transcend the frame.

Gluckstein is particularly known for her long-term project DIGNITY: In Honor of the Rights of Indigenous People, a photographic series that spans decades and documents Indigenous communities at moments of cultural transition. The project culminated in the publication of DIGNITY, a monograph that has received three International Photography Awards and is now available in an expanded second edition. In 2011, the accompanying exhibition, DIGNITY: Tribes in Transition, was presented at the United Nations in Geneva and has since toured museums throughout the U.S. and Europe. The series, in partnership with Amnesty International, helped raise awareness around the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and contributed to a key moment of political advocacy when President Obama endorsed the declaration.

In addition to her work with Indigenous communities, Gluckstein has photographed some of the most iconic figures of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Nelson Mandela, Mikhail Gorbachev, Desmond Tutu, Muhammad Ali, and Thich Nhat Hanh. Her portraits convey quiet strength, empathy, and resilience, consistently revealing a deep sense of presence and character.

Gluckstein graduated from Stanford University with a degree in psychology and a background in painting and photography. This interdisciplinary foundation has informed her unique visual sensibility, merging psychological insight with artistic intuition. Alongside her fine art work, she has also created award-winning advertising campaigns for major brands such as Apple and Toyota, demonstrating her versatility across genres and platforms.

Her photographs are held in the permanent collections of major institutions, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. In 2013, she addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, speaking on the transformative role art can play in shaping global dialogue. Through her lens, Dana Gluckstein continues to advocate for cultural understanding, human rights, and the enduring dignity of her subjects.