After coming to the fore through a personal series he shot in May 2017 titled “GLITTERBOY” which contended with ideas surrounding black men and perceptions of masculinity, Quil Lemons is just getting his start. Since, the 21-year-old New School student (he will graduate in May) has shot the women of his family wearing Batsheva in a series titled “PURPLE” that was shown in Toronto during the Kumba Art Festival, photographed the men in his family in an international campaign for Valentino, and shot his best friend musician Kari Faux for the cover of her EP Cry 4 Help.
“I pull inspiration from my childhood and home life,” Lemons, who also has shot two campaigns for Urban Outfitters says. “My mother gave birth to me at 14 and was able to go on and get her masters in nursing and open a clinic in Philadelphia. She taught me to always believe in yourself and don’t ever let anyone tell you that you cannot achieve greatness.” This fall he will be canonised in a new book titled The New Black Vanguard: Photography Between Art and Fashion which traces a history of black photographers whose imagery consider fashion.
Mikelle Street