Skid Row I
Lee
Jeffries
About this photograph :
Skid Row I
The photograph depicts a homeless person. Lee Jeffries is biased to front on views and closely frames the face. Processing in black and white reinforces the contrasts and shapes the portrait. Neither indulgence, nor complaisance, the style is unadorned. The artist put emphasis on the relief of the face and laid the wrinkles bare like furrows.
The strength of this photograph lays in the model’s attitude. Lee Jeffries succeeds in magnifying the character who seems both timeless and out of this world. This portrait speaks volumes. A story unfolds. It is no longer possible for the spectator to remain indifferent. The photograph becomes a document which narrates misery, injustice and suffering.
Yet, Jeffries’ work is stripped of any sordid realism. The portrait is hieratic and true nobility emanates from this face.
About the artist :
Lee
Jeffries
Lee Jeffries lives in Manchester in the United Kingdom. Close to the professional football circle, this artist starts to photograph sporting events. A chance meeting with a young homeless girl in the streets of London changes his artistic approach forever. Lee Jeffries recalls that, initially, he had stolen a photo from this young homeless girl huddled in a sleeping bag. The photographer knew that the young girl had noticed him but his first reaction was to leave. He says that something made him stay and go and discuss with the homeless girl. His perception about the homeless completely changes. They become the subject of his art. The models in his photographs are homeless people that he has met in Europe and in the United States: «Situations arose, and I made an effort to learn to get to know each of the subjects before asking their permission to do their portrait.» From then onwards, his photographs portray his convictions and his compassion to the world.
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See section on Lee Jeffries - 5 photograph(s)