Art speaks a language everyone understands. It connects us, moves us, and reminds us of our shared humanity. No translation needed.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
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Portraits. Light and shadow. Night photography. I’m drawn to art that catches people in the moment then shows the world something they didn’t know was there. Photography is also deeply personal. When I step into the night with my camera, I find a kind of release. Losing myself to the stillness of the night is one of the great joys of my life, and I think you can see it in my best work.
Where do you find inspiration?My love of cinema and the art of cinematography has always shaped how I see light and composition. But my deepest inspiration comes from the masters who came before me — James Van Der Zee, whose portraits captured the dignity of Harlem; W. Eugene Smith, whose images told stories with raw emotion; Ansel Adams, who found the sublime in nature; Gordon Parks, whose lens chronicled the Civil Rights Movement with compassion; and Weegee, who brought the streets to life. Their work inspires me every day
What would you do with $25,000?The $25,000 would go directly toward my son’s tuition at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Watching him pursue his own creative path would be one of the greatest joys of my life. Investing in his future would be the most meaningful use of this honor.
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