RUSSELL FREDERICK, "PHOTOGRAPHER EXTRAORDINAIRE" EMBARKS UPON SOLO SHOW!

Russell Frederick is, undoubtedly, what we love about black men; confident, self-determining, artistic, conscious and committed to using his talent and skill to make this world a better place for people who look like us. He's a staple in the Brooklyn Arts Community, if you don't know him personally, you certainly know someone who knows, loves and respects him and his work. I came across Russell's amazing work on Facebook (of course), and after finding out that he's like a brother to my NOLA homegirl 4 LIFE, Shantrelle P. Lewis, I knew he had to be good people.


As we all know, people of African Descent have been dehumanized within the system of racism / white supremacy and we have the images, film, music, and all forms of "artistic" expression to prove it! We NEED more artists who have committed their lives to telling the truth of just how beautiful we are...to contextualize our experience...and to share stories of our humanity, struggle and victories without further pathologizing us. I believe that Russell Fredrick is one of those artists; He's our brother and our friend...Our Gordon Parks...and he's doing right by us!


So, let's pull together and SUPPORT SUPPORT SUPPORT Russell as he embarks upon his first major solo show in five years. Russell Frederick is raising funds for "Black: A Solo Exhibition" through KICKSTARTER. This show will challenge people to view urban communities differently. Worlds cannot express just how important this is..and how much our support is needed to make this a reality!

Check out the video below to hear Russell discuss his work and upcoming show and 

please, donate whatever you can!

BIO:

Russell Frederick is a photographer from Brooklyn whose global world view and keen understanding of the human condition informs his compelling photography. He works with film in medium and large format and shoots predominantly black and white documentary portraiture photography. Through his lens he subverts and disengages the current status quo and stereotypes of people of color internationally. He has photographed men, women and children from Bed Stuy, Brooklyn to Kingston, Jamaica. He has photographed the Lower Ninth Ward and the Bloods in Brooklyn. Russell Frederick tells the story while elevating and exposing the inherent beauty, dignity and honor in his subjects. 

A self taught photographer with little formal training, Frederick has catapulted from an unfamiliar name to being sought after for his signature photographic style. In a decade he has become a celebrated public speaker, commissioned photographer and has been exhibited nationally and internationally. He is a winner of the esteemed Gordon Parks International Photography Competition as well as a co-recipient of a media fellowship sponsored by the Open Society Institute to document the after effects of Hurricane Katrina. From thousands of entries Frederick was chosen as one of NYC’s outstanding artists of 2010 for Curate NYC. Russell is a member of Kamoinge, a select group of African American photographers whose work collectively chronicles over five decades of black American life.

His inimitable eye for composition and his use of surroundings intrinsic to urban landscapes such as street art, murals and architecture are all present as aspects of his work. He has the instinct and ability to evoke authentic, visceral responses from people which make for incomparable unique images. Through his photography he tackles issues such as commitment, honor, respect, race, class, and the essence of humanity. Russell Frederick's photographs have a timeless quality that is attained through his gift to see beyond the exterior.

Russell's work has been showcased at the The Corridor Gallery, The Rotunda Gallery, The Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts, The African American Museum in Philadelphia,The Brooklyn Academy of Music, Columbia University, Columbia College, NYU, The Empire State Building, Nordstroms, The University of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and the Goethe Institute in Accra, Ghana amongst many others.

Beyond photographing, Russell dedicates his time to volunteering and mentoring young adults.

Check out Russell's Site to see more of his amazing photography.

Please SPREAD THE WORD and Donate Whatever you can!