Photographer based in New York, NY
Brandon Foushée, Portrait by Marcus Maddox.
Tell us about yourself, what's your background?
I grew up in New Jersey, with my father from New Jersey and mother from New York City. I think my first exposure to making art came from my both my parents, listening and dancing to their favorite hip-hop and r&b songs in the house as toddler. In high school, I picked up photography and used my father's DSLR to photograph my friends and I skating.
Title: To break cycles Date: 2023 Medium: assemblage with spray paint, archival pigments, mirror, plexiglass and found object Dimensions: 24 1/4 x 20 1/4 inches Photo Credit: © Brandon Foushée. Courtesy of the artist.
“Being isolated during the pandemic made me want to spend time with these stories I didn't know existed. Stories before my time on the earth that helped shape my existence. I use these stories to navigate the world and pose my diaristic questions about memory, invisibility, and legacy."
Title: Old Magic Date: 2024 Medium: Archival pigment print with plexiglass Dimensions: 32 x 45 inches Photo Credit: © Brandon Foushée. Courtesy of the artist.
What are you currently working on and where did the inspiration for it come from?
Right now, I'm trying to continue my series about the celebrations of fragmented familial memories and legacy. It really stemmed from my mother selling our family home back in 2021 and feeling displaced and uncovering old ephemera, knickknacks, and photographs. Being isolated during the pandemic made me want to spend time with these stories I didn't know existed. Stories before my time on the earth that helped shape my existence. I use these stories to navigate the world and pose my diaristic questions about memory, invisibility, and legacy.
Title: Shake it like a polaroid (Mom’s memory) Date: 2024 Medium: assemblage with archival pigments and plexiglass Dimensions: 27 x 27 inches Photo Credit: © Brandon Foushée. Courtesy of the artist.
Title: hiding places 2 Date: 2024 Medium: Archival pigment print Dimensions: 10 x 10 inches Photo Credit: © Brandon Foushée. Courtesy of the artist.
Innovation does not only happen in the field of technology — it occurs everyday in a creative practice. What do you do for inspiration?
For daily inspiration, I mostly listen to music. For me, I think music just sets the tone for the day and I find that helpful when traversing the unknown as the day progresses.
In the old studio at Baxter Street Camera Club, on Baxter St and Canal St
How do you make your work, does it start with a sketch?
Currently, my work involves making photographs, assemblages, and a bit of print making. I'm even in the midst of making some sculptures (something very new to me). I realize I am trying to be efficient with what I am after and learning to be okay with navigating different mediums if it is the best route to communicating those ideas. In part, I hope my works have a particular style as that can drive me closer to my voice and position. Though at the same time, I hope to truly never 100% know my voice as I believe that could be the time when my artistic drive is gone. For me, I start with an image. Sometimes the images I make develop to become a bit more of an additive process or sometimes the images themselves I find to land right on the note I was hoping. I'm trying to embrace there is no right or wrong way to arrive at an idea while also trying to hone in my boundaries with my voice, and self discipline.
In the old studio at Baxter Street Camera Club, on Baxter St and Canal St
Many artists live by their routines, what does that look like for you?
I don't know if I think of it as a ritual, but probably just making sure to drink water, stretch, maybe have some coffee if it feels right. One of the most important things I find for my practice is to always turn to my friends to gather their opinions and thoughs as to how my work is progressing. Speaking with them helps me focus on making the work and tightening up what works and what doesn't.
Constellations, 2024
Installation view of Y'all don't wanna hear me, you just wanna dance at Baxter Street Camera Club
Are there books or films that are an important source of inspiration?
At the moment, I'm thinking about Dark Matters: On the Surveillance of Blackness by Simone Browne, Black Space by Anaïs Duplan and John Akhomfrah's The Last Angel of History.
Installation view of Y'all don't wanna hear me, you just wanna dance at Baxter Street Camera Club
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
When inspiration strikes, try to make the picture happen as quick as possible since that is when the idea is the most vivid.
What is the best advice you would give to other artists?
Don't be afraid to take your time.
Portrait of the photographer
Stay up to date with Brandon Foushée
Instagram @Fooshphotos
Email brandonfoushee1@gmail.com