honorable mention
Lorna Stovall united states
title
The Neighbors Project
I lived in an interesting pocket of Manhattan. The apartments were built 70+ years ago for returning WW2 vets and there are a high percentage of people who have been living there for many of those years due to rent control. As these people pass on, the new management is upgrading the apartments to raise the rent and attract a new wave of tenants. After spending time with Fran, I looked towards other neighbors to document, wondering what their stories were about.
My series was a wonderful way to meet my neighbors and hear about their lives—every person’s narrative was as different as their dwellings. I wanted to put a spotlight on these older people living in a city, which is known for its young energy and soaring rent. Most of these people no longer have family around, but still thrive within this planned utopian community.
I worked as an award winning graphic designer and creative director, starting my career in the Los Angeles music industry.
During this time, I explored my passion for photography, experimentation and the element of chance. In addition to my
commissioned work, I created assemblage pieces that encompassed my photography. It was at this time that I indulged my
curiosity of using alternative cameras and processes in my work.
I currently live in New York City and, after working in entertainment advertising, am now focused solely on my art. My
subjects range from abandoned landscapes to an ongoing series of narrative portraits of my neighbors. Most recently
I have been exploring alternative digital photography techniques, such as pinhole lenses, teleidoscopes and printing on
alternative substrates.
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entry description
During the time I was studying the Narrative Portrait with Amy Arbus at the ICP, I had become close with my next-door neighbor Fran, a former model and actress. She agreed to sit for her portrait and that is how this project began.I lived in an interesting pocket of Manhattan. The apartments were built 70+ years ago for returning WW2 vets and there are a high percentage of people who have been living there for many of those years due to rent control. As these people pass on, the new management is upgrading the apartments to raise the rent and attract a new wave of tenants. After spending time with Fran, I looked towards other neighbors to document, wondering what their stories were about.
My series was a wonderful way to meet my neighbors and hear about their lives—every person’s narrative was as different as their dwellings. I wanted to put a spotlight on these older people living in a city, which is known for its young energy and soaring rent. Most of these people no longer have family around, but still thrive within this planned utopian community.
about the photographer
I grew up in San Diego, CA, and received my BS in Applied Art from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. In the 20+ years following,I worked as an award winning graphic designer and creative director, starting my career in the Los Angeles music industry.
During this time, I explored my passion for photography, experimentation and the element of chance. In addition to my
commissioned work, I created assemblage pieces that encompassed my photography. It was at this time that I indulged my
curiosity of using alternative cameras and processes in my work.
I currently live in New York City and, after working in entertainment advertising, am now focused solely on my art. My
subjects range from abandoned landscapes to an ongoing series of narrative portraits of my neighbors. Most recently
I have been exploring alternative digital photography techniques, such as pinhole lenses, teleidoscopes and printing on
alternative substrates.
back to gallery