“Who would you be if you had no fear or obstacles?”
A new art and cultural exhibition that opens on January 12 at Praz-Delavallade Gallery is largely inspired by this query. Future Without Fear investigates the hopes and dreams of young people from underrepresented communities in America and around the world. It was conceptualised by The Work, a storytelling and innovation firm whose focus is on building initiatives that influence culture via social impact.
According to Rob English, co-founder and CEO of The Work, “the young people of this generation are burdened by negativity and a lack of access to resources to have the room and chance to dream about their future.” “Future Without Fear is our “hope bomb” to bring about cultural change by amplifying the voices of those who are underrepresented. The goal of this exhibit is to serve as a spark for deep discussions that begin to tear down boundaries and enable visitors to picture a world free from fear.
The exhibit, which combines photography, video, and print storytelling, will be the first in a growing list of activities and experiences, from art exhibitions to educational platforms, all of which will highlight the voices of a new generation of young people who are dealing with seemingly insurmountable challenges. Six artists—Kennedi Carter, Naima Green, Abdi Ibrahim, Clifford Prince King, Doug Segars, and Magdalena Wosinska—were commissioned by THE WORK to create intimate, emotional imagery for this first-ever Future Without Fear gallery exhibition. Their subjects were selected to reflect the central ethos of a “future without fear.”
The end result is a compelling collection of portraits, interviews, and films showcasing the fearless and unflappably upbeat communities of young people from various backgrounds, including LGBTQ+ artists in New Orleans, outsider skate crews in downtown Los Angeles, and teen jockeys competing in off-track races through the wilds of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.
As she was about to become a mother herself, photographer Kennedi Carter, who is renowned for her work documenting the Black Experience, was inspired to create “a series of pictures analysing the iconography of Black maternity, lineage, & family history passed down through generations”. “Documentation of my own intimate connections in typical, daily situations that remark on my experiences as a queer Black guy,” photographer Clifford Prince King made for the exhibition.
The works produced by photographer and filmmaker Magdalena Wosinska, as she puts it, “show those who seek to find joy and dream, despite the trials and obstacles they confront. Their tenacity serves as inspiration and brings beauty back into the world. The exhibition at Praz-Delavallade showcases important pieces by all of the artists. Photographer Naima Green, who is based in Brooklyn, focuses on “young individuals who are frequently overlooked in mainstream visual culture.” Photographer Abdi Ibrahim captured the children of Somali and Ethiopian immigrants in a photo essay “centred around identity.”
When the photographer “went out to investigate the subculture and lives of horseback riders and ranchers unique to the island, he was inspired to create the St. Croix series. The goal was to provide a glimpse into the world of a popular hobby via the eyes of local ranchers and “bush” jockeys. Young African-American men who are local to the island and breed and race horses for recreation, sport, social status, and survival are known as “bush jockeys.”
Future Without Fear offers close-up glimpses into these rarely-seen worlds through its powerful portraiture, moving short films, and in-depth interviews with subjects. The exhibition skilfully examines complex issues such as mental health, young Black motherhood, alienation, uniqueness, intersectionality, poverty, and community. But the show’s main goal is to celebrate the foresight, perseverance, and optimism of individuals guiding our society into a future devoid of limitations, antiquated paradigms, and most crucially, fear.
The public is welcome to see the exhibition, Future Without Fear at no cost.
Opening in Praz-Delavallade on January 12th, 2023, at 6 p.m. The exhibition will be on display following the opening from Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. until January 26.
Visit futurewithoutfear.world for further details, and RSVP here.
THE WORK created FUTURE WITHOUT FEAR with the primary goal of amplifying the voices of a generation in danger. Kennedi Carter, Naima Green, Abdi Ibrahim, Clifford Prince King, Doug Segars, and Magdalena Wosinska are among the artists represented.