Joshua Rashaad McFadden

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Communication Arts Interview: Building an Archive

I was featured in an interview in Communication Arts, where I discussed my work and its focus on identity and civil rights. The interview highlighted my experiences covering Black Lives Matter protests in various cities, including Minneapolis, Atlanta, Louisville, Rochester, and Washington, D.C. I shared how documenting these events has been emotionally intense, revealing the raw sadness and determination of communities affected by police brutality. My work aims to capture the profound emotional responses of protestors and the impact of these pivotal moments in history.

In the interview, I reflected on my early passion for photography, sparked by my family's deep connection to the medium. I described how my education at Elizabeth City State University and the Savannah College of Art and Design helped refine my skills and solidify my commitment to using photography as a tool for social change. My series "After Selma" and "Come to Selfhood" explore themes of Black identity and masculinity, using portraiture to correct historical narratives and build an archive that reflects the diverse experiences of Black Americans.

The feature emphasized my dedication to social justice, using photography to document and advocate for civil rights. By giving visibility to critical issues through my images, I aim to inspire action and change. The interview highlighted how my work not only documents social injustices but also empowers viewers to see and feel the humanity in those I photograph. This coverage in Communication Arts underscores the importance of visual storytelling in advancing social justice and highlights my contributions to contemporary photography.