The Early Days: Brooklyn and West Germany, 1975–1985

1975–1985

Jamel Shabazz

Associated Names
Jamel Shabazz

Artist, American, born 1960

The image contains two black and white photographs featuring groups of people in urban settings. In the top photograph, a group of six individuals, including adults and children, is sitting and standing around a park bench. The adults on the bench appear relaxed, and some have their arms around each other, suggesting familiarity. The children are at the front, appearing calm. They are wearing casual, comfortable clothing. A brick building with windows and some graffiti is in the background, and a tree is adjacent to the bench. The lower photograph shows four individuals standing on a city sidewalk. They are dressed in coats suitable for cooler weather, with hats and sneakers. They are close together, and two of them have their arms around each other, while one person stands slightly apart. Behind them, there is a row of buildings, likely storefronts, with signs, and an empty street lined by a tree.

Media Options

Skip thumbnail navigation
Back to thumbnail navigation
This object’s media is not available for download. Contact us about image usage.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    91 chromogenic and gelatin silver prints and one business card in photo album

  • Credit Line

    Alfred H. Moses and Fern M. Schad Fund

  • Dimensions

    overall: 27.5 × 23.8 × 2.5 cm (10 13/16 × 9 3/8 × 1 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2024.142.1

More About this Artwork

Two Black men stand in a subway car facing the camera. Both are shown from the hips up. The man on the left wears a black leather jacket and brown fur hat, and wraps his arms around the body. He has a neutral expression but direct gaze. The man on the right wears a black leather jacket over a brown sweater. He points a finger on each hand at his head, which is topped by a brown newsboy cap.

Video:   How The Legend Jamel Shabazz Shaped Street Photography 

Street photographer Jamel Shabazz documented fashion, life, and culture in his New York City community for over 40 years.

 

 

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Jamel Shabazz, New York; NGA purchase (through Galerie Bene Taschen, Cologne), 2024.

Associated Names

You may be interested in

Loading Results