“Behind everything is an energy, a spirit, an essence. That gives it existence. Photography is a means to appreciate the many manifestations of my collective self. The camera is my vehicle of exploration in capturing images that make my heart smile. I’m collecting external mirrors of myself”
~ Chester Higgins Jr
ENQUIRE ABOUT THIS WORK
Chester’s heart was for sure smiling when he was walking out one morning to pick up some milk near his home in Brooklyn. He saw this extraordinary looking young woman walking with her parents.. The eyes are the mirror of the soul right? He explained to her parents that he was on the staff of the esteemed New York Times but was working on his personal long standing project depicting the African Diaspora. He asked permission to photograph their daughter, permission was granted, the rest is history.
This is one of the greatest portraits ever taken. In the luminosity of the platinum printing process its allure is increased ten fold. It is an image that you encounter and is indeed impossible to forget.
It has grace and dignity and extraordinary power as does its creator. As Chester eloquently puts it, “We are Africans not because we are born in Africa but because Africa is born in us”.
For any questions or inquiries, please email peter@peterfetterman.com
