Feels the power New York's creative energy with Jeff Pearson's GIFs and photographs

[J]effrey Pearson is a photographer working out of New York. His radical, highly-engaging images of his friends and contemporaries represent just a snapshot of the creative force that currently exists in his home city. His subjects are found in dynamic poses – their limbs extended or contorted – or they are still and captured in flickering light the form of GIFs. In either format, the images capture the human condition – alternating from the bold and empowered to the disengaged, fearful and restricted. Under Jeffrey’s lens, his subject’s bodies become expressive instruments.

After quitting photography school in Los Angeles Jeffrey worked full-time as David LaChapelle’s personal assistant. Since then he has assisted Steven Meisel, Bruce Weber, Steven Klein and now Patrick Demarchelier. Read his interview below where he talks us through the New York creative scene and describes how art has the capacity to help fix our broken systems.

Hi Jeffrey, who are the people in your photographs and GIFs?

My subjects are friends, or friends of friends, who I find to be beyond brave in the way they push past the edges of self expression. They live freely as they are… What I wanted to achieve when photographing them, were images that honor their strength and complexity.

This is a really amazing time for New York City. Things like stop-and-frisk as well as rampant rent increases made it seem like the city was becoming little more than a bland playground for the rich.

But in fact, a resurgence of performers and artists are bubbling out of galleries, museums, shows and clubs like ever before. I’ve always been in love with people who live out loud.

We seem to be living in an age when we are increasingly aware of censorship and conservatism but also where there are more conversations than ever about our bodies and about gender and sexuality. Do you think positivity will overcome?

I think it takes more than just positivity to overcome any form of oppression. Action is necessary. However, I do think art can help mend broken systems and encourage people to push back against inequality (which always eventually loses).

Does creativity naturally take on a political edge at times when liberal ideals are under threat?

Whether a song about love or war, I think creativity often mirrors the reality of the artist and is certainly amplified when pain is shared with an audience.

You’ve spoken about stealing something from your subjects when you photograph them, could you tell us more about that and how it affects the way you take pictures?

I have a small crush on everyone I meet so try take something of my subjects I can keep forever. As we’re left with fading recollections of the times we’ve lived, I want to take pictures that recognize the power of these moments and the individuals I celebrate.

What, for you, makes a great image?

How different visual artists cleverly use elements in their images, whether shooting real life or creating abstraction, is always very interesting to me. I suppose a great image is one that makes you think.

What would you like to see more images of in 2017?

That’s hard to say, but I really love a lot of what’s coming from the UK at the moment. Matthew Stone is one of my favorite artists.

What’s your favorite movie?

Lawrence of Arabia.

Please could you tell us a little more about the creative scene in New York right now, who’s work and what events or spaces should we know about?

There are a lot of amazing artists in NYC right now. I love the work of Signe Pierce, Arnold Daniel, Martin Cartagena, Brianna Capozzi, Ethan James Green, and Marilyn Minter, to name a few.

Moma PS1 and New Museum always show amazing artists like Korakrit Arunanondchai, Boychild, or Pipilotti Rist, whose work has had a deep effect on me.

Then, of course, the underground club scene is an endless source of inspiration.

See more of Jeffrey’s work on his website here.

Feel the power of New York’s creative energy with Jeffrey Pearson’s GIFs and photographs

Published on 22 March 2017