Beneath the Streets of New York

City Metro comprises some 30 works by Jamel Shabazz (b. 1960 in Brooklyn, NYC), spanning from the 1980s to today. The exhibition presents us with a different view of the Big Apple: instead of showing prestigious avenues or the dazzling world of the Broadway, Shabazz documents the passengers travelling on the city’s subway – capturing their fashion, moods and interpersonal dynamics in a true street photography style.

New York’s metro system is akin to a lifeline that connects all of the city’s districts and residents. Here, the different nationalities and cultures of the melting pot that is NYC converge with an unparalleled immediacy. This concentrated diversity is what drew the artist to his home city’s subway stations time and again, giving rise to numerous key works – many of which have become icons of photography (such as the famous ‘Rush Hour’ of 1988). With his camera as his constant companion, and always working close to the action, Shabazz continues to capture images that skilfully convey the sociology and history of New York.

For further information visit
Galerie Bene Taschen
Jamel Shabazz