Martine Fougeron–Heart of the South Bronx: Trades
Curated by Anna Van Lenten and James Price
September 17- October 19, 2014
11 color photographs

Wall Text

Ongoing since 2011, Bronx Trades is a hybrid art project / document about the active industries in the Bronx, NY neighborhoods of Port Morris and Hunts Point, including but not limited to: steel, metal recycling, baking, hand-made bedding, and wooden boat making. Martine has structured her project with four kinds of images: portrait, landscape, environment, & abstract. It has been exhibited in The Bronx and used in the community for youth instruction about trades, and will take the form of outdoor murals.

Some of the industries Martine brings to us are centuries-old and some are decidedly 21st century. But no matter their era, the fact that they are operating in the South Bronx is what makes this project such a happy revelation. For Bronx Trades shows us that thing-making, fossil fuel storage, art--even artisanal baking--persist as thriving businesses in NYC. Some of these things are even exported to China. Martine recognizes the beauty in the forms that make up the industries she’s pursuing. In fact, her photos affirm both the artistry and every-day heroics of intrepid people whose work entails craft and bodily labor.—Anna Van Lenten and James Price

On opening night Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 PM, curator Elisabeth Biondi will lead a discussion with Martine over a slideshow screening of the South Bronx Trades.

The Half King Photo Series, 505 West 23rd Street, Chelsea, NY 10011

Selected Press:  
L'Oeil de La Photographie: Interview by Elizabeth Avedon: 'Martine Fougeron: Heart of the South Bronx: Trades' , Wednesday, September 17, 2014.
PDN Photo of the Day: Heart of the South Bronx

Press Release >>> pdf  and Invitation >>> pdf
Wall text and Images >>>pdf
#bronxtrades  #hkphotoseries