Ted Pushinsky with his son Jake in the 1980s. Courtesy: Jake Pushinsky

[su_label type=”black”]Ted Pushinksy: Dec. 3, 1946—Jan. 23, 2018[/su_label]

Dear Friends,

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of the legendary San Francisco photographer Ted Pushinsky. He was 71. Ted’s work documenting the Mission District and San Francisco over the last 30 years is unique and unparalleled. Beyond his work as an artist, Ted was a valued member of our community and a true friend. Our love and support go out to Ted’s family, his wife Kathy, his children Sara and Jake, his grandchildren Tanner and Miles and his brother Jon.

Ted’s photography gave San Francisco, and the Mission District in particular, a nuanced vision of itself. He showed how complicated we are, documenting moments of violence and bravado alongside images of intimacy, tenderness, spirituality and warmth. In Ted’s work, we are reminded that we don’t glimpse the soul of San Francisco by looking at a postcard image of the Golden Gate Bridge. We can only really see it through the eyes of a gifted and complex member of our community such as Ted. We see the soul of San Francisco in Ted’s work. That is his legacy.

“Local Stories,” Ted’s retrospective tribute to the city and the Mission District, is open now through Feb. 24 at Acción Latina’s Juan R. Fuentes Gallery. A memorial for Ted at the gallery will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24. Please join us to admire his work, share some memories, and celebrate the life of a great man.