Art: The eighties through the eyes of photographer Jamel Shabazz

Jamel Shabazz (born 1960 in Brooklyn, New York) is an African American documentary photographer. Shabazz has gained international recognition through his various books, exhibitions and editorials in various magazines. Through his pictures his love for the community shines through to the spectator.

Shabazz shot his pictures throughout the 80s with his Canon AE-1 35mm camera, while struggling to fund the film and developing costs. His friends helped him out and collected money to make sure his work could be produced. This act of support resulted in two books that features his work. Back In The Days (powerHouse Books, 2001) and A Time Before Crack (powerHouse Books, 2005).

Nowadays Shabazz can fund his own publications. His latest book, Seconds of My Life (powerHouse Books, TBA), covers three decades and, for the first time, will feature Shabazz’s photographs from 9/11.