SPOTLIGHT
Barron Claiborne
Barron Claiborne is an art photographer and cinematographer currently based in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. Claiborne’s artwork spans more than 28 years and has been featured in galleries, at festivals, in print ads and most recently at Afropunk. Today, his artistic thumbprint is distinct: He is recognized for his visual elegance and photo-casting of black people as angels, kings and saints. His photos are rooted in folklore, mythology, symbolism and historical references.
Born and raised in Boston, Claiborne is a self-taught photographer and began taking photographs at the age of ten after receiving a camera as a gift from his mother. He works primarily in large format (8×10) and (4×5). In 1989, he moved to New York City. One of his most powerful and recognizable pieces is entitled, “King of New York” series featuring the Notorious B.I.G. donning a tilted crown. This piece might be one of the most duplicated, replicated, imitated and reimagined pieces in contemporary photography today!
