Sunday Spotlight: Al J Thompson

Project Title: Remnants of an Exodus

Artist Statement: Remnants of an Exodus tells the story of a once-thriving Caribbean immigrant community under the threat of gentrification in Spring Valley; a suburban town just 40 minutes out of New York City.

Now controlled by Ultra-Orthodox and Hassidic developers, we observe a dramatic shift in both demographic and political landscapes. Given the continued overdevelopment of land, tensions have been mounted between many religious Jews and people of the African Diaspora.

Driven by metaphors, ROAE exhibits nuance — yet, one that indicates a sense of endurance within those negatively affected in the slow death of a community caused by isolationism and political expediency.

Bio: Born in the Caribbean, Al J Thompson moved to an immigrant community in suburban New York in the year 1996. Two decades later he noticed the dramatic changes to the place he once knew, projected by what he termed as 'political figures coiled with greed'.

As a devotee to the science of Psychology and Visual Arts, Thompson sets out to convey the nuances that he believes are circumstances of societal turmoil. His rhythmic approach to photography, at times envelopes people, places, and things that often generates poetic dialogue with subtlety ­– one that he perceives is consistent to the impression that all things relate.

Thompson's work has appeared in PDN, BOOOOOOOM, Lenscratch, The New Yorker, New York Times, New York Times Magazine, Italian Vogue, NPR, Buzzfeed, Wallpaper Magazine, Rocket Science, Float Magazine, GUP Magazine, C-41, among others.

You can find more of Al’s work on his website.