JAHGREY

The message in my art is about challenging and redefining the social norms of masculinity and rebelling against the constructs others place on our bodies and our identities. My images capture the relationship between body and space, showcasing the struggle between the idealized norm vs. the desired embodiment. I strive to explore the disconnect between the concept of masculinity and vulnerability. Society often assumes a notion of masculinity (or hyper-masculinity within a cishet society) which normalizes the idea that men cannot be vulnerable, while overlooking men who choose to make their vulnerability visible. I choose to fight this in my work by photographing black men who do not fit the label of hyper-masculinity imposed upon them. I feel we often let society control and dictate who we are, where we belong and who we need to be and forget to carve out new spaces in ourselves for change, growth and evolution. [email protected]

[jahgrey]

There’s too much shame in our society around our bodies, particularly critical of the black body, and I’m done with that. I want to remind the viewer that by confronting their fears about their bodies, it enables us to embrace everything that we are, as individuals and as a community, encouraging the practice and process of self-love. Shame is a social construct. 2018, digital. Photographer| jahgrey (www.jahgrey.com) jahgrey.tumblr.com [email protected] instagram: @jahgrey 

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what age is a black boy when he learns he’s scary? 2018, digital. Photographer| jahgrey (www.jahgrey.com) jahgrey.tumblr.com [email protected] instagram: @jahgrey 

[jahgrey]

it’s okay to cry, beautiful boy. crying helps us heal.   2018, digital. Photographer| jahgrey (www.jahgrey.com) jahgrey.tumblr.com [email protected] instagram: @jahgrey 

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A Portrait of Noah Brown.  2018, digital. Photographer| jahgrey (www.jahgrey.com) jahgrey.tumblr.com [email protected] instagram: @jahgrey 

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the wild river 2018, digital. Photographer| jahgrey (www.jahgrey.com) jahgrey.tumblr.com [email protected] instagram: @jahgrey 

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the wild river 2018, digital. Photographer| jahgrey (www.jahgrey.com) jahgrey.tumblr.com [email protected] instagram: @jahgrey 

[jahgrey]

I’m afraid of what I feel. I’m afraid of being vulnerable. I’m afraid of not being validated. I’m afraid of not being accepted. I AM afraid of me.

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Change is scary and sometimes I find myself wanting to hold on to the old me, because that’s all I’ve ever known. Isn’t it so f*cked that for some reason there’s a part of you sometimes that still wants to hold on to toxicity?

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As I continue on my journey of healing, calling myself out and unpacking my toxic behaviors, I’ve recently learned how important it is to hold intimate relationships with other men. I don’t think men understand how extremely important and helpful it is to build healthy relationship with the men around them.

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Every time I look at the images that I capture of men who choose to share their vulnerabilities, their mistakes, their flaws and insecurities, it forces me to continue to look into myself, unpack and relearn.

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It forces me to sit in the uncomfortable.

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Repeat because repetition is key: Sitting in the uncomfortable is hard but its necessary for growth.

A portrait of Sebastio & Jannoy. 2018, digital. Photographer| jahgrey (www.jahgrey.com) jahgrey.tumblr.com [email protected] instagram: @jahgrey 

[jahgrey]

A portrait of Tremayne Norris.  2018, digital. Photographer| jahgrey (www.jahgrey.com) jahgrey.tumblr.com [email protected] instagram: @jahgrey 

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A portrait of Yannis Davy. 2018, digital. Photographer| jahgrey (www.jahgrey.com) jahgrey.tumblr.com [email protected] instagram: @jahgrey 

[jahgrey]

the power of vulnerability - a portrait of chivengi.  2018, digital. Photographer| jahgrey (www.jahgrey.com) jahgrey.tumblr.com [email protected] instagram: @jahgrey 

[jahgrey]

the power of vulnerability.  2018, digital. Photographer| jahgrey (www.jahgrey.com) jahgrey.tumblr.com [email protected] instagram: @jahgrey 

[jahgrey]

A portrait of Sebastio & Jannoy. 2018, digital. Photographer| jahgrey (www.jahgrey.com) jahgrey.tumblr.com [email protected] instagram: @jahgrey 

[jahgrey]

A portrait of Jannoy. 2018, digital. Photographer| jahgrey (www.jahgrey.com) jahgrey.tumblr.com [email protected] instagram: @jahgrey 

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portrait.  2016, digital. Photographer| jahgrey (www.jahgrey.com) jahgrey.tumblr.com [email protected] instagram: @jahgrey 

[jahgrey]

“it’s okay to cry, beautiful boy. crying helps us heal” 2016, digital. Photographer| jahgrey (www.jahgrey.com) jahgrey.tumblr.com [email protected] instagram: @jahgrey 

[jahgrey]

“be gentle with me, i’m more delicate than I look.” 2016, digital. Photographer| jahgrey (www.jahgrey.com) jahgrey.tumblr.com [email protected] instagram: @jahgrey 

[jahgrey]

A portrait of Mark Anthony.  2016, digital. Photographer| jahgrey (www.jahgrey.com) jahgrey.tumblr.com [email protected] instagram: @jahgrey