AIR Introduction: Maxwell Harvey-Sampson

Hello Flower City Arts Center blog readers,

I am very excited to be joining the Flower City Arts Center community as the new Photography Artist-in-Residence. Earlier this year I graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fine Art Photography. That specific degree focuses in on the conceptual side of photography in the two years following our technical training.

Self Portrait in Mirror – 2017

I have covered a number of topics and spanned many media. I work a lot in the Queer community to produce works that regard identity and the complexities of contemporary Queer culture. In addition, I am frequently documenting youth culture, with a focus on candid portraiture. I have attached at the bottom a select bit of my work, as well as a link to my Behance page where you can see more work.

With this year long residency, I will be exploring the impact that HIV/AIDS has had on Rochester, NY. With this people focused body of work, I hope to bring awareness to a topic that many overlook through community engagement and photographic survey. I originally became interested in studying HIV when I came to realize how ambiguously my friends took care of their sexual health and how unsure they were about the ways in which  HIV is contracted. I then began to realize and become curious about my own knowledge/ignorance on it as well.

As an out, biologically male, queer identifying man, I have long taken offense to my parents seemingly excessive warnings about getting HIV. It felt offensive that they would generalize and stereotype me. But, why be offended if I protect myself? These feelings have raised a number of internal questions and uncertainties regarding my identity as queer and male.

I am a part of a community that has historically been neglected by the government. I feel ignorant having not lived through the AIDS crisis. I feel I have little perspective as a 24 year old who has experienced many privileges mostly or entirely granted by the relentlessness and hard work of the LGBT people who have come before me. With this project, I aim to gain a better understanding of the ways in which the AIDS crisis shaped the development of gay rights in addition to sharing that information with the community.

Though my identity as a queer man has peaked my interest in researching HIV/AIDS, I do not intend on focusing solely on the experiences of LGBT people. Rochester is home to a diverse body of people. To the best of my current understanding, there are many communities that have been affected by HIV who are outside of the LGBT community that are also marginalized by the ruling body of our country. These people deserve a voice, and with the privileges I have been granted, I aim to be a vessel for that voice.

Our current political climate has also added complexity and threat to the lives of people who rely on healthcare. Through the intense study of the history of HIV/AIDS as well as engagement with the Rochester community, I plan on creating a body of work that will raise awareness.

I look forward to sharing my work and research with those following along on this blog as well as those who attend the opening of my show at the end of the year.

Maxwell Harvey-Sampson on Behance:
https://www.behance.net/maxwellharc729

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