Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesse Jackson IV.
Jesse, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a author, designer, and photographer. In my studio practice, I pursue projects that allow me to leverage each of these creative disciplines to produce cohesive objects and experiences that are greater than the sum of their parts.
As a designer, I have long had an affinity for projects that allow for a broad remit; ambitious projects that require a bit of lateral thinking, ingenuity, and elbow grease.
With my photographs, I follow a rich lineage of practitioners who defy stylistic and subject matter categorization, and instead resolutely pursue capturing images that fit their eye; architecture, portraiture, landscapes, nudes – all of these motifs are to be discovered in the archive, tied simply by the certain something that prompted the opening of the shutter. Using the written word, I seek to create structures and certain turns of phrase that are as transportive as the best photographs can be, evocative of a certain time, a certain place; a lingering wisp of perfume on a saturnine summer’s eve.
Last fall, I published my debut monograph, words & photographs. Over the duration of the creation of this project, I travelled both domestically and internationally, looking for inspiration, challenging inherent biases and seeking a deeper understanding of the world in which I have found myself. words & photographs toes the line between novel and photobook – I have taken to referring to it as a photo-text, as each form of expression holds equal weight in this project.
I am deep in production on my next body of work, and I can’t wait to share it soon.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. I am still very much in the struggle along the way. I suppose that’s the point, though, isn’t it? To struggle mightily for a worthy goal? Overcoming doubt, rejection, failure, and frustration is key to any creative endeavor or artistic pursuit, at least in my experience.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in large format film photography, specifically 8×10. I do not focus on any one subject; I shoot lifestyle, portraiture, landscapes, interiors, architecture – really anything that draws my eye. I am most proud of my publications, whether my books or the magazine I publish, Hommage. I believe the book object is it’s own specific form of expression, with a narrative sequence that emerges page after page, and I collect books for that very reason. It is perhaps this focus that sets me apart.
Any big plans?
I am beginning to explore other disciplines within the literary arts – specifically, writing things for the stage. I’m excited to further explore the finer points of the performing arts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jessejacksoniv.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessejacksoniv/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JesseJacksonIV
