African-American men and stories of their real intersecting identities have not been acknowledged historically or currently through channels that present positive imagery. The most prominent narratives do not include African-American men. Therefore, dominant culture does not recognize real pictures, ideas, and the actual identity of African-American men themselves. They become invisible in society, unrecognizably existent, and bound by stereotypical rhetoric.

Through this experimental exploration of the African-American male, the language defined in my most recent work, Come to Selfhood, will be expanded. While building upon organic interactions, I will capture African-American men in motion and present spontaneous works that portray natural reactions, personal moments, and honest human connections. In this exhibition, I hope to express the humanity of the African-American male through an unapologetic display of their inner strength while highlighting their vulnerability.

Internationally recognized, award-winning artist and author Joshua Rashaad McFadden is originally from Rochester, New York. McFadden developed an interest in art as a child. During his undergraduate years at Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina, he began to make photographs as a fine art practice. McFadden continued to develop his photography, eventually attending Savannah College of Art and Design, where he obtained his Master of Fine Art.

McFadden combines his passion for civil and human rights with his passion for the arts. His series After Selma is based on the constant uprisings across America, caused by multiple recent incidents of police brutality and the murders of African-American men and women. For this series, McFadden was named one of the top emerging talents in the world by LensCulture and received the first place International Photography Award (IPA) in 2015. He won the first place IPA award again in 2016 for his series and book, Come to Selfhood. McFadden has since been published in EyesOpen Magazine, Slate Magazine and The New York Times. In 2017, McFadden was recognized by TIME Magazine as one of “12 African-American Photographers You Should Follow Right Now”.

Joshua Rashaad McFadden was the recipient of the 2017 FENCE Jury’s Choice Prize — a $5,000 Grant and a featured exhibition at Photoville 2017.