Photographer Jamel Shabazz has unveiled his latest work, titled Prospect Park: Photographs of a Brooklyn Oasis, 1980 to 2025, which chronicles the vibrant life of this beloved Brooklyn park through the lens of its African American community. The book showcases a rich tapestry of portraits and scenes that highlight the beauty and resilience of individuals who frequent the park.
Preserving Memory Through Photography
Shabazz’s journey into photography was inspired by a desire to capture and preserve memory. Influenced by his father, a photographer himself, Shabazz began documenting life around him during his junior high school years. While many of his peers turned to graffiti as a form of expression in the 1970s, Shabazz found purpose in photography. “When I picked up the camera, it became natural for me,” he said. “It immediately opened up my third eye and allowed me to look at life from a very different perspective.”
His work in Prospect Park serves as a counterbalance to the challenging environments he encountered while working as a corrections officer. The book features images captured during visits to the park following long, demanding shifts. “In those quiet moments, I often encountered others seeking the same sense of peace,” Shabazz explained. The photographs reflect an exploration of love, family, and connection, starkly contrasting the negativity he witnessed in his day job.
A Reflection of Community and Resilience
Spanning a period marked by significant challenges—including the War on Drugs and the HIV/AIDS epidemic—this collection offers a poignant glimpse into the lives of Brooklyn’s residents. “When I was working in the jail, many people I knew were incarcerated for long sentences, some never to return,” Shabazz remarked. His motivation to produce a book that resonates with those individuals has been reinforced by the feedback he has received from the incarcerated community, who find solace in the images that depict a world they can no longer access.
“To see a train, a bus, or people in streets they would never see again became medicine for them,” Shabazz stated.
Shabazz encourages aspiring photographers to keep their cameras at hand, emphasizing the importance of capturing the essence of their communities. His advice is to fill the gaps in representation, regardless of any criticism that may arise. “It’s about creating a narrative that needs to be told,” he said.
The official book launch event is scheduled for December 13, 2023, at Powerhouse Arena in Brooklyn. This gathering promises to celebrate not only Shabazz’s work but also the enduring spirit of the community he has documented for decades. Further details about the event can be found on the venue’s website.
