I grew up in Louis H Pink Houses projects in the 90s. Home of dilapidated buildings, street fights, elevators carpeted with urine, dreams differed, and people who look like me beaten down by their environment; 28 years later and not much has changed. I see those same people hanging around project hallways, the subjects of RIP posters, in jail or simply surviving their circumstance. This is the ghetto and you dare not fight what is already predetermined: you will be here for the rest of your life for the ghetto in New York City does not foster growth.Everyone loves the ghetto aesthetic, but no one cares about the ghetto community.I am a product of this community which makes me an advocate for its experience.As an artist, my medium is photography. The mission in my work is to capture the black identity through portraiture. It is important to me to show that blackness is not monolithic. We come from an array of socio-economic backgrounds, stories, and experiences. Nuance is key, and the representation of that nuance is vital to reshaping and reimagine what it means to be black in this country.
I want to have an exhibition. The title: Trendsetters. A mixture of editorial photography and docu-style photos juxtaposing the actual ghetto experience against curated in studio shoots. An ode to how art imitates life. I want to record interviews with people from these environments talking about their experience and how they feel their circumstances has shaped their perspective. I want to create a print book with these photos in them and donate a portion of the proceeds to the development of resources and programs in the community I grew up in. I want this show to be in Brooklyn, my home.
Peerspace is on a mission to bring people together. We believe it is impossible to achieve that goal unless we also fight for equality and access to resources in the communities we serve.
Having a space to gather, create, and exchange ideas is an important part of any movement. In order to magnify voices that are often quieted, Peerspace will sponsor venues for people who challenge prejudice and fight for social justice and equality.
Each quarter, we will sponsor space for three projects that are relevant to our community. These projects can range from fundraisers and educational initiatives to art exhibits and photo series.
