Becoming who you are seems to be at the core of discovering your purpose.
Both seemed to be intertwined in many capacities. It’s this notion that Baltimore photography-based artist Tiffany Jones has not only discovered in her work, but says has also significantly impacted her perspective on bridging community with self-awareness.
Her most recent collection that she has opened is called, Beyond the Bench, which expands on the wake of recent events that re-ignited discussions of violence and drug problems in Baltimore. Jones has exhibited her artwork in various galleries and museums across Massachusetts, New York, Virginia, and Maryland – including the Marianne Boesky Gallery, Artisphere, Baltimore Museum of Art, James E Lewis Museum, and Sheila and Richard Riggs Galleries. She received her BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art back in 2012. During that same year, she received a b-grant from the Baker’s Artist Awards for collections that focused on topics of identity across multiple generations.
WATCH: THE AGORA CULTURE STUDIO VISIT WITH TIFFANY JONES
“I feel like my generation is a generation where we are in between,” she said. “We’ve had our parents who have talk us about our history and we now the importance of that. And then, we have the generation right now our kids where we are trying to get them to understand what we learned, but pop culture and social media is having such an influence on it that they are kind of getting lost… well, they are getting lost.”
Jones noted her fine art deals with aspiring its viewers – particularly those of Generation Y – to contemplate their purpose and how it can change the world.
“We know we want to take a stand, but sometimes we don’t really understand what that means or what we should do or how involved we should get.”
Jones believes her work can empower others on their own personal discovery of becoming who they are, and initiating dialogue on various social issues. We were so inspired by her work and its impact that we wanted her to share her story with you.
RIZZARR INTERVIEW WITH TIFFANY JONES
1. What drew you to photography?
My grandfather was a photographer. I grew up seeing him with an old camera around his neck, the classic pentax K1000, which i used when i took my first photography classes in middle school. my mom kept albums for pictures, and she was very organized so each album had a time period and theme. I always loved looking in those books, and i still do. To me, pictures keep memories alive. You can look at a picture and remember how you felt at that moment. You can see changes through time as well as in communities, society, and the world in general. You can travel through photographs. And, if you spend enough time with them you can see more then what is at the surface. Images can force us to think.
Photo from her “Beyond the Bench” collection focused on Baltimore. (Photo courtesy of Tiffany Jones)
2. How has photography changed your perspective on racial issues and community?
Life itself is a fleeting set of images, and how one chooses to present those images can influence someone’s perspective. For me, it is not about my perspective being changed by photography. Rather, it’s me becoming more self-aware through photography. The world is saturated with imagery through the internet, social media, and television, and when you are a photographer or artist that uses photography to see the world often you find yourself. For example, in The BLACK series, I started using others to model for the images I wanted to create. After a couple of sessions, I realized that it wasn’t going to work, because I was asking myself the same questions that I was asking everyone else. What does mean to be Black in America? Even before that I did a piece, the greatest city in America because of my experience of living in Baltimore City, and I am now currently working on a new version of this project titled Beyond the Bench which focuses on the voices of these same communities four years later. Art is like a magnet, it can bring people together. During these times of unrest in Baltimore, it is apparent that art is a powerful tool of our communities.
Tiffany Jones showcasesher BLACK, 2012 work (Photo courtesy of Tiffany Jones)
3. How do believe your photography can change the way our generations sees the world?
When I photograph I aim to simplify life and present what is already there. I don’t want to change how others see the world, but rather present them with a foundation to initiate dialogue that will then invite another perspective. I want the viewer to really think about what they are seeing. One’s life experiences will impact their initial perspective, and once they have had a dialogue (with themselves or with others) about the work they then may begin to see more. That is what makes art powerful, it has the ability and energy to connect us. We have become so accustomed to an “instant” lifestyle sometimes we miss the most valuable things that are constantly happening around us every day. My art has enriched my life, it has given me opportunities to meet people I would have never imagined.
4. What have some of the challenges that you have faced in your career?
Overall, being an artist is a challenge! But what I have experienced I wouldn’t really call them challenges, more like speed bumps. I believe everything happens for a reason and learned things will happen when they are supposed to. You will become a better person/artist if you choose to accept this. I have faced many no’s, but I have also received many yes’s. I have lost money, but that hasn’t stopped me from investing in myself. I just got smarter in how. I made many sacrifices and questioned what I was doing many times, but the rewards no matter how small have been worth it. The people in my life have shown me that repeatedly.
5. What are your favorite masterpieces that you’ve created?
–BLACK, 2012:The black community has a long history of trying to define themselves with a label that showed a sense of pride and self-esteem. The series, BLACK, begins to examine the deconstruction of these labels and the meaning of being black in America today.
BLACK, 2012 collection. Installation View 2: Meyerhoff Gallery, Baltimore, MD (Photo courtesy of Tiffany Jones)
– Autumn Leaves-Poplar Group: Autumn Leaves is about nothing less than the meaning of life. It recognizes the deeper connectivity of our lives, and the importance of collectively gathering from time to time for no other reason than commemorating who we are, as individuals and as a community.
Anna Davis “I found that the miracle was me.” Photo called, I AM FREE (Photo courtesy of Tiffany Jones)
– CONGREGATE – An Ardent Vestige: An Ardent Vestige, is an expressive installation that pairs remnants of history together with photographs and sound in order to create an understanding of faith and tradition.
Installation View 1, Sheila & Richard Riggs and Leidy Galleries, Baltimore, MD (Photo courtesy of Tiffany Jones)
6. Who do you admire and why?
– Carrie Mae Weems. I relate to her work. I appreciate how she extends the photograph, how she uses past and present in her work, and how she uses herself in her work.
– Hank Willis Thomas. I love his boldness.
– Gordon Parks and Roy Decarava for their approach and presentation to street and lifestyle photography.
– Lorna Simpson’s work is simple yet provoking.
– Kehinde Wiley.I saw his work for the first time up close and personal in the 30 Americans show at the Corcoran (The Corcoran Gallery of Art) and it was nothing like I have ever seen before. So rich and grand.
– Toyin Odutola, she makes black beautiful. Her technique is amazing, and her piece are so intimate.
– Marina Abramović and Shirin Neshat whose art is powerful and moving.
7.What would you say to any young person who has a dream but is having a hard time achieving it?
FIRST: Don’t give up – nothing comes easy. Keep talking to others to see what they did on their journey.
TWO: Step out of your comfort zone – try to do something out of your comfort zone at least once a month, say it out loud or better yet, tell someone what you are going to do because they will most likely ask you about it later or the next time they see you.
THREE: Lose the doubt and fear – it will only eat you up. Need help build a support system. Use friends and family who believe in you surround yourself with them, tell them what you need or expect from them while you are on this journey. Have monthly check-in meetings so that they can see your progress, and possibly give you some input, resources, or most constructive criticism.
To learn more about Tiffany Jones, click here. Interested in buying some of Tiffany’s artistic work? You can click here.
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