JAMESON STOKES

ABOUT

Jameson Stokes is an art activist. His weapon is a still camera. He began this journey with the birth of his son, noted artist Lucien Smith and a stolen (borrowed) 35mm camera which was the property of his mother-in-law. His first series was the homeless men and women in and around Tompkins Square Park, 42nd street and the Bowery. Stokes primary focus and practice addresses the themes of identity, religion, guilt, redemption, faith, homelessness, loneliness and the human condition. 

“…with right hand to god and eyes to man. I created this series of hand and face portraits to emulate the symbolic gesture of telling the truth before God. Many are convinced that the eyes are the windows of the soul. I believe the hands are the true windows to the soul. I asked the subject to face their palms toward the camera to gather information about their life expectancy, health, wealth and love. I consulted a New Orleanian clairvoyant to document the subject’s character, nature and future. ‘People I Know’ is a series based on the foundation of self-actualization and honesty. My focus is to translate the vernacular of the subconscious that is seldom seen and heard in one’s public life.” - Jameson Stokes