The Newark Arts Council has funded the works of a new photography exhibit at Gallery Aferro, at 73 Market Street in Newark. The exhibit, “We Are Forever: Images Through the Eyes of Homeless Photographers,” runs May 26-June 11, 2016, with a gallery opening on May 26th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The Council’s ArtStart award – an annual juried grants competition – was presented to the nonprofit Bridges in June 2015. They used the grant to engage homeless individuals with professional photographer Akintola Hanif, founder/editor-in-chief of HYCIDE magazine. A photojournalist, muralist and filmmaker, Hanif’s photography and film projects have been featured in such venues as The Metropolitan Museum, the Newark Museum and the Guggenheim Museum.
The ArtStart grant funded the purchase of digital cameras for use by the homeless men and women recruited for the project. The intent was for them to express their world through photography giving voice to the reality of their lives in Newark.
For six months, Hanif worked with the photographers to provide instruction and leadership. Lois Bhatt, Executive Director of Bridges noted that, “The interaction between Akintola and the photographers was genuine, respectful and inspiring.”
The six-month project, “We Are Forever” (a title chosen by the photographers) culminates in this exhibit of approximately 20 curated photographs as seen through the eyes of the homeless. All photographs will be on sale through the Bridges website, with the proceeds going to the photographers.
Of the project Hanif said, “For me this wore more than an exchange of photography skills, this was an exchange of love. HYCIDE Bridges photography program has been my most humbling and fulfilling experience in my entire career as a photographer. I don’t see my students as homeless people. I see them for their hearts and intentions and that is the place we connected from.”
Each year, the Newark Arts Council releases a request for proposals from artists and arts organization for a limited number of grants. The applications are reviewed by a jury of artists and other NAC shareholders and selections announced at the Council’s annual meeting in June. “This exhibit speaks to the power of the arts to give dignity and offer opportunity to some of our city’s residents,” said Jeremy Johnson, Executive Director of Newark Arts Council. “We’re thrilled that we helped seed a project that is using the power of the arts to transform lives.”
The Thursday, May 26th opening reception of “We Are Forever” at Gallery Aferro is free and open to the public.
