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The series ?They don?t care about us!? reflects stereotypical expectations of black culture within Western society. Working with analogue black and white photography, Mahir Jahmal uses the medium to show the bold contrasts of a divided reality.
His unusual (darkroom) techniques show an approach to photography that defies the categorisation of the common view, a topic that shapes the series.
The deconstruction of images of black men questions the sensitive act of representation. It reveals a way of assuming a character based on clichés. But Jahmal fragments this external glance, the surface seems to gain more layers: it reveals itself as a cover.
By crumpling the photographs Mahir Jahmal does not only crumple stereotypes, but shows a twist of perspective that shines light onto multiple layers of the subject and exposes a few dark spots that may have been hidden before. (Text by Lena Ures)
Mahir Jahmal was born and raised in Vienna, Austria. He has been studying fine arts at the University of Applied Arts Vienna since 2009.
In collaboration with OSME Gallery, Vienna.