On Tuesday, December 14, 2021, Joseph Gallivan interviews photographer Jason Hill, DJ Ambush and curator Tyra Levato about Jason’s show In My Skin, which is on now through February 27, 2022, at the Portland Art Museum’s AUX/MUTE gallery. They talk about Jason’s use of strobe lighting and gels, how he gets his subjects to relax for their shot, and why commercial photography does not often accommodate black skin. Hill also talks about shooting athletic dancers in motion from the Lion King show travelling show.
This show was edited by KBOO volunteer Ray Bodwell.
FROM THE PRESS RELEASE:
“This body of work titled In My Skin celebrates Black cultural identity, African ancestry, and the contemporary lived experience of the community in Portland, through dynamic lighting, saturated color, and portraiture. I wanted to keep things spontaneous and lively but also be very precise with my lighting to show depth in the image as well as in the person.
In the fall of 2020, local Afro-Pop recording artist, I$$A contacted me about creating artwork for his new song, “Pigments in My Skin.” https://open.spotify.com/album/4OsH2O8QfaKW7oeFWizosl
I wanted to create something distinct and cohesive to show the unique diversity of the Black Diaspora. In the span of six months, I$$a and I invited local community members to come collaborate with us in this project, which celebrates the African Diaspora residing here in Portland. “
—Jason Hill
Jason Hill (born 1976) is an artist and educator currently living in Portland, Oregon. Born in the Midwest to a father in the military, he moved constantly with his family until settling down in Southern California. His relationship with photographic imagery began with his love of record album covers. He started working with a camera during adolescence and is largely self-trained. His practice today is focused on portraiture with an emphasis in the mechanics of light, vibrant color, emotion, and natural beauty.
https://portlandartmuseum.org/exhibitions/aux-mute-gallery/
AUX/MUTE Gallery
Presented by The Numberz FM
Aug 7, 2021 – June 2022 4th Floor
The AUX/MUTE Gallery presented by The Numberz FM and the Portland Art Museum is an endeavor designed to reduce the barrier for BIPOC practicing artists to be represented within an institution of high art. The name is derived from the history of marginalized groups being MUTED in their ability to tell their own stories and share their work within the art world. This space gives them the AUX, the open pathway or signal into conveying their truths, their passions, and their art. In this ongoing partnership between The Numberz FM and PAM, AUX/MUTE will seek to engage the community in conversation around artists who have historically been underrepresented within institutions of art and provide physical space for their stories to be told.
AFRICAN & BLACK DIASPORA: The African Diaspora is the voluntary and involuntary movement of Africans and their descendants to various parts of the world during the modern and pre-modern periods.
— From the Center for Black Diaspora at DePaul University
YET ANOTHER ASK….
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Joseph Gallivan has been a reporter since 1990. He has covered music for the London Independent, Technology for the New York Post, and arts and culture for the Portland Tribune, where he is currently a Feature Writer. He is the author of two novels, "Oi, Ref!" and "England All Over" which are available on Amazon.com
This show was recorded via Zoom with backup audio on a Pixel 6 on December 20, 2021.
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