BIO:
Born in 1983 in Harlem, Jean-Andre Antoine is a New York City-based analog street photographer, renowned for his distinctive approach to capturing timeless portraits on vintage peel-apart film. Stationed daily on the bustling corner of Prince and Broadway in SoHo, he skillfully crafts images of passersby, showcasing an unparalleled ability to seize the moment and capture extraordinary portraits in one shot. Antoine's artistry extends beyond the streets, as evidenced by his collaborations with commercial brands including Disney. Nike and Cartier, Tiffany & Co. In 2022, Antoine co-founded My Eye Got Lazy, a dynamic magazine dedicated to celebrating and advancing street photography culture. Jean's photographs, both instant and fine art prints, have been widely exhibited, showcasing his unique ability to blend spontaneity with fine art precision. His dedication to analog photography offers a timeless perspective in a digital world.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
My style of photography bridges concepts that are seemingly at odds with one another - classic cameras and contemporary subjects, both street vendor and fine artist, and access to today’s “unlimited content” with a finite supply of discontinued film. In 2015, under the mentorship of Louis Mendes, I devoted myself to the bygone art of analog instant film photography. I’ve reported to the same location in Soho where I sell portraits to passersby while also expanding my collection of street photography - recording the intrinsic character of New York City shot by shot. Due to the increasing scarcity of the discontinued film, each shot needs to be worthwhile. My work is a subtle rebellion against the unceasing wave of new technology. While society is in the crux of a digital revolution, I try achieving a sense of timelessness by framing contemporary subjects in the gaze of my classic camera.
EXHIBITIONS:
2019 One Shot Only, Presented by Natashia Betancourt, The Brooklyn Bank, Brooklyn, NY
2020 Dear New York, Public Art Work, Digital Art Month, NY
2021 For Instants, Presented by Photodom, The Thames Art Center, New York, NY
2022 A PICTURE GALLERY OF THE SOUL, Katherine E Nash Gallery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
2024 From Prince St. With Love, Solo Exhibition, Fotografiska New York, New York, NY
PUBLICATIONS: