Photographer to Watch: Andre D Wagner
Photographer to Watch: Andre D Wagner is a Brooklyn-based photographer who received a BFA in Social Work and Digital Media in 2010. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, he now focuses on his passion which is street and documentary style photography. Aimed at finding ways to preserve the sensitive moments of life that takes him back to his social work roots, Wagner’s photos captures the human condition in a very raw and anonymous way.
Phillip: Thank you so much, Andre, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do this interview for Glappitnova. I want to begin by asking you to briefly describe how you got into photography. Who were some of your early inspirations?
“Initially, I picked up a camera because I needed something to pass the time when my collegiate basketball career was over.”
Andre: I never imagined it being a career path like it is now. My first inspiration was Gordon Parks; a friend gave me ‘Voices In the Mirror’ which follows his journey and instantly changed my view on photography.
P: I first discovered your work on a whim through Tumblr. I created a Tumblr just to see your work, actually. It was around the time I was looking for images for potential book covers and what struck me the most about your work was the quiet activity behind them. Sometimes photos can be so busy, especially in an urban setting. How would you describe your style of photography? What is it that you look for when you find a scene and take that picture?
A: I don’t think much about my style, but I operate with having my camera with me at all times so it all developed naturally. My camera has become an extension of my eye, and helped me understand how I view the world and interact with life around me. I’m looking for meaning out of everyday life; the things that we often overlook, I try to challenge myself to find meaning in those banal moments.
P: I have a copy of your book of photos called The Purist, which is an astounding collection of photos you took while overseas in Europe. Can you talk about how the idea of The Purist came to be? How is this work, for you, different than the cityscape photos you take of New York?
A: I had an opportunity to show my photos in Paris. That brought up the idea to take a trip to Europe. This was my first time traveling out of the country, and I just wanted to see what life was like in a different setting. I didn’t think about creating The Purist until I was able to go through my film once I returned to New York.
“I don’t think there is much difference in photographing moments in Europe versus New York–if anything there are a lot of similarities in humanity and the moments that I try to capture.”
P: What was it like combining what are usually separate pieces of art together into a single book? How did you want your photos to communicate with one another? I’m wondering, too, about the idea of collaboration being expanded here, because not only are you as a photographer collaborating with people to create art, to make art with them, but with a book it seems you’d have to look for ways that each photo feeds into the next. How has this experience expanded you as an independent artist?
A: The process of putting together Volume 1 of The Purist was fun and challenging at the same time. Although taking images on the street may seem like they fit without question, I’m always thinking wholistically about how all these images work together and the strength of them independently as well.
The reason why I wanted to make a book was because I wanted to create a sequence, add content by pairing certain images and unfold a beginning and end just like a novel.
It’s awesome to be able to share my story and work with people all over the world and not be filtered by anyone else. It’s imperative for me to be true to my work and I was able to do that in creating a book.
P: I want to move backwards for a bit to talk more about you as an artist. So many of the photos feel candid, even when the subjects are looking directly into the camera, posing even. You bring out the personalities of everyone included, especially children. What would you say your photographs reveal about you as a person? How vulnerable do you feel when taking pictures?
A: My photos reveal me and who I am. I don’t take pictures and say “Look at them.” I take pictures and see a part of myself in them. Being from a small city like Omaha, NE gave me a different sensibility to everything around me since most of the places I photograph aren’t similar to my upbringing.
I don’t second-guess taking pictures because I’m confident that this is part of my purpose. I constantly choose to share my visual experience and sensitivities with others and I don’t think I can get more vulnerable than that.
P: Please talk about how being an independent artist works. What are the challenges? What have been some unexpected positives that have come your way? Is this a career choice for you or an art form that may or may not help with finances every now and then?
A: The best part is that I get to work on the things that I love and care about most, and that pushes me and my work forward. I don’t have a boss telling me when to scan film or when to shoot. It’s all from my intuition and feelings and for me that’s how I do my best work. It’s challenging in many ways, sometimes I don’t know where my next job may come from and every week is different. I’m still very much in the beginning phase of digging into what I think is my real work, so a lot of the struggles are expected.
“The thing that gets me through is knowing that I have something valuable to add to the world.”
This is a career choice and an art form. Like I said, I truly do believe it’s my purpose and just like I have faith in shooting and not being able to see the image immediately, I have faith that work will continue to provide.
P: My last question deals with the idea of craft. In watching the video from your website, I was struck by how hands-on your methods are. This is not the say that digital editing is not a skill or does not require technique, but you work with elements (water, air) and chemicals. You are also working with patience, the very concept of time, like a team member whom you cannot rush. What does that level of intimacy in your work mean to you? What have you learned about yourself as a person while in the studio?
A: I’ve always been a hands-on person, even before I was introduced to art. In high school, I use to work on home developments and loved building objects with my hands. I’m inspired by a lot of 20th century photographers and their process. There is something to be said about how their work is still relevant today and stands the test of time. I understand that their process doesn’t necessarily make their images great, but there’s an aspect of working really hard that adds to the quality of the work that you’re making. The nature of my work is very personal and my process coincides with that. I love digital technology and all of its advancements–however, I’m still an old soul at heart and I love working in the darkroom.
P: Again, I want to thank you for spending time doing this, I would like to ask you about future projects. What’s next for Andre D. Wagner and where can people get in contact with you if they want to purchase your work or commission you for a project?
A: Right now I’m spending hours in the darkroom preparing for a spring 2015 show in Los Angeles (more details to come). Also another book that was shot throughout 2014 in collaboration with Creative Future, the producer of my first book Black Boys.
Glappitnova unites influencers and talent from different industries through storytelling, performances, classes, and events for one crazy 8 day experience in Chicago.The opinions expressed here by Glappitnova.com contributors are their own, not those of Glappitnova.com.
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