Photographer Jamel Shabazz on Life in 1980s New York City and Using His Camera to Connect with His Community

08/04/21 • 41 min

2 Listeners

For decades, photographer Jamel Shabazz has been using his photography to make an impact on his community. This week on the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast, we interview Jamel about his career and his approach to street photography. We learn about photos as “visual medicine” making a difference in New Yorkers' lives and the intimate stories Jamel's work uncovers. See some of the artwork we discuss on the Top Artist Instagram

Follow Jamel's work on his website, Instagram, and Facebook.

Want to see your work on a billboard? Enter our sponsor Fine Art America's 2021 Billboard Contest by August 31 and you might just see your art on a large scale.

You can learn more about Jamel's life and work in Charlie Ahearn's 2013 documentary, Jamel Shabazz Street Photographer, which is available for rent on Amazon.

Read more about Jamel's work and the projects we discuss:

Authentic Street Photography of 1980s New York Reveals the Rise of Hip-Hop Culture

Vintage Photos of Life on the Gritty New York City Subway of the Past

Top 12 Street Photographers Who Captured the Grit of New York in the 70s and 80s

Want to support the artists we feature and the podcast? Check out books by our guests on the Top Artist Bookstore.

And remember, we want to hear from you! Leave us a listener voicemail and subscribe to our newsletter so you can submit questions for upcoming interviews. You'll find everything on podcast.mymodernmet.com.

Follow Jamel's work on his website, Instagram, and Facebook.

Want to see your work on a billboard? Enter our sponsor Fine Art America's 2021 Billboard Contest by August 31 and you might just see your art on a large scale.

You can learn more about Jamel's life and work in Charlie Ahearn's 2013 documentary, Jamel Shabazz Street Photographer, which is available for rent on Amazon.

Read more about Jamel's work and the projects we discuss:

Authentic Street Photography of 1980s New York Reveals the Rise of Hip-Hop Culture

Vintage Photos of Life on the Gritty New York City Subway of the Past

Top 12 Street Photographers Who Captured the Grit of New York in the 70s and 80s

Want to support the artists we feature and the podcast? Check out books by our guests on the Top Artist Bookstore.

Previous Episode

Bonus: Great Moments in Art History with ArtCurious

We're pleased to present a special collaboration with the ArtCurious podcast. In this bonus episode, Top Artist host Jessica Stewart and ArtCurious host Jennifer Dasal discuss some great moments in art history, where art—or the artist—made an impact.

Listen along as we discuss 19th-century sociologist and photographer Lewis Hine, a surprising stance against racism by Norman Rockwell, Picasso's controversial Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, and Artemisia Gentileschi's landmark career as a female painter in the 17th century.

Then, on August 9, the conversation continues over on ArtCurious, as Jessica and Jennifer dissect some more great moments in art history, so be sure to go over and subscribe to ArtCurious.

Timestamps:

Lewis Hine - 4:40
Norman Rockwell - 11:40
Pablo Picasso - 17:30
Artemesia Gentileschi - 24:04

We want to hear from you! Leave us a listener voicemail and subscribe to our newsletter so you can submit questions for upcoming interviews. You'll find everything on podcast.mymodernmet.com.

Want to learn more about these topics?

How an Early 1900s Photographer Helped Change America as We Know It

Norman Rockwell’s “The Problem We All Live With,” a Groundbreaking Civil Rights Painting

9 Facts About Picasso‘s Groundbreaking Painting ‘Les Demoiselles d‘Avignon‘

5 Powerful Paintings by the Under-Appreciated Female Artist Artemisia Gentileschi

Next Episode

Fiber Artist Bisa Butler on Her Vibrant Quilted Portraits That Share Black Stories

2 Recommendations

Fiber artist Bisa Butler uses the traditional craft of quilting to create incredible portraits of Black stories. This week on the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast, we interview Bisa about the meaning behind her portraits and how she brings lost histories back to life. We think you’ll really enjoy hearing about these unexpected narratives that Bisa represents in colorful textures and bright patterns.

See some of the artwork we discuss on the Top Artist Instagram

Follow Bisa’s work on her website, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Want to see your work on a billboard? Enter our sponsor Fine Art America's 2021 Billboard Contest by August 31 and you might just see your art on a large scale.

Read more about Bisa’s work and the projects we discuss:

Quilted Portraits Honor the Stories of Black Men and Women Who Are Forgotten by History

Vibrant Quilts Honor Black Men and Women Whose Stories Were Forgotten or Overlooked

Colorful Quilts Crafted from African Fabrics Tell Stories of Artist's Ancestral Homeland

5 Contemporary Textile Artists to Celebrate During Women’s History Month

Want to support the artists we feature and the podcast? Check out books by our guests on the Top Artist Bookstore.