Legendary visual artist gets first solo exhibition at Emily Lowe Gallery
HEMPSTEAD, New York (WABC) -- Each image moves.
"It's a frozen moment in time. It's something that my mind allows me to see," said Jamel Shabazz, a visual artist.
Shabazz carries his camera everywhere.
"Thousands upon thousands, definitely, a half a million," he said.
Many are housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum, and Smithsonian in Washington, DC.
Back home in Hempstead, for the first time his work is on display at the Emily Lowe Gallery inside Hofstra University's Museum of Art. It is his first solo exhibition on Long Island.
He says there is one key thing he looks for in his photos.
"Love. Love is the key and love is the cornerstone for every image in this show," he said.
That's why Shabazz, who is a retired New York City correction officer, named it "Love is the Message."
"It came from an album from Philadelphia International Records back in 1975. It was a very popular song that I grew up with," he said.
"Growing up in the 1960's during the Civil Rights movement and during Vietnam, I saw a lot of hate, a lot of disunity so I just wanted to do my part and capture love," Shabazz said.
Often in overlooked urban communities, spanning over five decades.
His favorite exhibit section is called "A Time of Innocence."
"Flatbush Avenue, Brownsville, just everyday people. A situation that reminded me so much of my youth coming up," he said.
Shabazz's father, who was a professional Navy photographer, was his first source of inspiration.
"One of the things my father taught me was always have your camera out and ready and be observant and be curious," he said.
"You feel the artist's vision and his desire to connect with humanity," said Sasha Giordano, museum director. "To have a legend here, to be able to give him the opportunity to come home for his first solo exhibition on Long Island, it's just really an honor."
Erik Sumner is an art teacher at Northern Parkway Elementary School.
"I think it's very important especially in the community of Uniondale and Hempstead area that our children and our families come into this museum and see themselves," Sumner said.
"When they come here, what do you hope that they leave with?" Eyewitness News reporter Chanteé Lans asked.
"Empathy. I think empathy is something we're missing in society today," Shabazz said.
The Hofstra University Museum of Art is not only just for students. It's open to the public and community and it will stay that way for this exhibit until December 16.
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