Fashion

See How Five Emerging Photographers Turned 2021 into Art

Five artists offer a glimpse at their interior lives during a period of unprecedented change.

Jennifer Reid
Sep 28, 2021
2 min read
Portrait

For many photographers, there was a bittersweetbright side to the early stages of lockdown: With no commercial or editorial gigs in sight, they could finally focus on their personal work. Now, thanks to New York City’s International Center of Photography, they’re also able to display it. Amidst the chaos of 2020, curator-at-large Isolde Brielmaier commissioned five emerging Black artists to offer a window into the lesser-seen sides of their experiences navigating the pandemic, Black Lives Matter protests, and U.S. presidential election. A year or so later, the results are on display in “Inward: Reflections on Interiority,” a new exhibition featuring Quil Lemons, Djeneba Aduayom, Brad Ogbonna, Isaac West, and Arielle Bobb-Willis. Whether you know it or not, there’s a good chance that you’ve both come across their work—regularly featured in publications like the New York Times and Vanity Fair—and never seen this side of their practices. Take a look, here.

Melanin Goddess - May every black woman realize the treasure they are. Sun kissed chocolate that melts into rich golden Melanin.

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Quil Lemons, Melanin Monroe, 2021. © Quil Lemons
just some photos of myself from practicing some studio lighting
Quil Lemons, Genesis, 2021. © Quil Lemons
Hey friends, thanks for all the support, follow me for more pictures like this @jacksondavidoficial
Djeneba Aduayom, Transplace, 2021. © Djeneba Aduayom
More in @dom_aguiar
Djeneba Aduayom, Invisible Walls, 2021. © Djeneba Aduayom
Brad Ogbonna, Paul & Peter, 2021. © Brad Ogbonna

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