Life Within a Vanishing Landscape of Black Neighborhoods
Documentary and Street Photographer: Shawn Theodore
Shawn Theodore is a multidisciplinary Philadelphia-based artist working in photography, video, and collage. His practice embodies a defiant brand of black artistry; one that focuses on the fragmentation and manipulation of African American and African Diaspora identities and otherness, while exploring concepts of race, spirituality, patriarchy, matriarchy and class structure within disappearing Black communities.
Theodore attended Tyler School of Art and received his BA in Journalism, Public Relations and Advertising from Temple University.
His solo exhibition highlights include: Church of Broken Pieces '17, African American Museum in Philadelphia; The Avenues '16, Painted Bride Art Center; The Avenues, G-Town and Uptown ‘14, Imperfect Gallery and Scribe Video Center; The Avenues; North and West Philly, ‘14 and he has exhibited in several group shows.
“Shawn Theodore represents the new generation of contemporary visual artists who are using their gifts to combat negative stereotypes and foster images that reaffirm and empower. In use of his third eye, he makes his subjects who are all too often deemed invisible, not only visible, but relevant in a world where people of color are projected as unimportant, and irrelevant. His mastery of light and composition are evident in all of his stunning and insightful creations.” - Jamel Shabazz, October 2016
