msharkey

[msharkey]

I’ve been participating in protests of all kinds since I was a young student of civil disobedience in high school (shout-out to my Mt. Open classmates!) but I have never seen anything like what I’m witnessing today. After some initial hesitation on my part to join protesters here in the city (hi pandemic!) I finally decided the rewards outweighed the risks and I marched through nearly 10 mi. of city streets yesterday. That’s a personal decision to make but the momentum of this moment is an opportunity that should not be squandered by anyone. Please, if you feel like you are at all able to, or you are on the fence because you feel like it is unsafe, let me say that while some risks remain, these protests are by-and-large peaceful and incredibly powerful and empowering. Out of the many thousands of people at yesterday’s march nearly everyone was wearing a mask. (Plus, it’s kind of fun to be masked at a protest, you feel like a vigilante!) Loudly yelling the names of the most recent victims of police brutality until you are horse is not only cathartic it also insures that you never forget those names and gives you an opportunity to spend some time reflecting on what it might be like to have the life slowly choked out of you while police stood around and watched. GEORGE FLOYD! Or perhaps to be jolted awake by the tremendous noise of gunfire before being fatally shot. BREONNA TAYLOR! I don’t know how to solve the problem of systemic racism that is so deeply entrenched in America BUT I DO KNOW that law enforcement in the US is irrevocably broken. It’s time to re-allocate tax payer $$—OUR $$—to programs that actually serve and protect people and the community. DISARM the police. DEFUND the police. . Plenty of protests to participate in so please check whatever resources you may have available. @justiceforgeorgenyc is a good one here in NYC. And if you’re alone and would like to join me, please just dm me. #disarmthepolice #defundthepolice #blacklivesmatter https://www.instagram.com/p/CA_ABqil8ug/?igshid=38kkrs1bdlfy

[msharkey]

Alex Chee @cheemobile was the first of my portrait subjects to like my last post. 👋 Hello Alex! 👋 . I met Mr. Chee almost 10 years ago when my friend—his future husband, Dustin (@lafuerzadeldustino)—brought him over for dinner. I knew right away there was something special between them and something special about Alex too but I couldn’t figure him out entirely. Though enigmatic one thing was certain: Alex was (and continues to be) a perfect gentleman, that is to say he takes great care in the feelings of the people around him and has a kind of thoughtfulness I’ve experienced only very rarely. Now, the brief moments of silence between us when we’re speaking are a kind of magic as I try to imagine what he might be thinking and then become astonished by the clarity (and hilarity) of his wit and the power of his insight. One day I’ll write more about the treasure trove of ideas and experiences that have slowly revealed themselves over the years of our friendship… the soothsaying, the culinary slaying, the wig-donned sashaying… but for now I’ll just say that I love him and his magnificent husband dearly and I love THEIR LOVE for each other even more. *The first person I’ve made a portrait of to like this post, I’ll post that person’s portrait next.* Alex was photographed at #SharkowiakGardens on 05.02.13 https://www.instagram.com/p/CAdWKG6FlaQ/?igshid=171ua15zk4mz0

[msharkey]

Ruby @flamingoloungehair was the first of my portrait subjects to like Friday’s post and I’m very glad she was as it gives me the opportunity to introduce her to all my friends in Los Angeles. 👋 Hi Ruby! 👋 . Ruby has been cutting, coloring and styling my hair for years. We would always talk about doing a shoot together and then in 2018 she had the bright idea to get her friend Megan @_meganocain on board, then a third year fashion student at Parsons. We had so much fun that first day with our star model @alexandradorschner that we’ve all gotten back together several times since. Working with these amazing young women makes me love clothes all over again: it’s like playing dress-up when you were a kid with zero pressure, just 100% fun. Megan graduated Parsons last year with a brilliant thesis collection and Ruby has just moved to LA and is a new mom to boot! Love and miss you ladies!! . *The first person I’ve made a portrait of to like this post, I’ll post that person’s portrait next.* . Photographed at #CoffeyStreetStudio 2018-2019 (at Studio 153) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAV_U4aFNdL/?igshid=126d6y1ydzyot

[msharkey]

Moon Ribas @moonribas was the first of my portrait subjects to like yesterday’s post. 👋 Hi Moon! 👋 . A few years ago @bust_magazine called and asked if I’d like to photograph a cyborg. Naturally, I was incredulous but also intrigued. When Ms. Ribas arrived at the studio I could see no outward signs of mechanics or electronics but upon closer inspection I was shown the tiny scars on each of her limbs where online seismic sensors were implanted and which allowed her to feel earthquakes as well as seismic activity on the Moon through vibration. “In 2010 she co-founded the Cyborg Foundation, an international organization that aims to help people become cyborgs, defend cyborg rights and promote cyborg art. Ribas also co-founded the Transpecies Society in 2017, an association that gives voice to non-human identities, defends the freedom of self-design and offers the creation of new senses and new organs in community.” She is widely considered to be the world’s first female cyborg artist. Pretty cool huh? Hope you are well Moon! . . *The first person I’ve made a portrait of to like this post, I’ll post that person’s portrait Monday.* . . Ms. Ribas was photographed at #CoffeyStreetStudio on 06.03.16 (at Studio 153) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAOLwYrFLzK/?igshid=1ho2pcpelom9a

[msharkey]

Amanda Duarte @agitatedinxenon was the first of my portrait subjects to like yesterday’s post. 👋 Hi Amanda! 👋 . I’d been following Amanda’s work as a performer and writer for quite awhile before we met for the first time at the studio. Reading her cultural, political and personal critique, I found myself thrilled by her courage to say the kinds of things in print most of us can only dream of saying aloud (but that many of us are secretly thinking). Creator of Dead Darlings, a monthly salon she hosts at Judson Memorial Church where authors and artists share failed projects, she turns the rage and despair we feel in the face of injustice and hypocrisy into high comedy. Looking forward to more from this fierce and deeply funny queen. Also 😻 MEOW! 😻 . *The first person I’ve made a portrait of to like this post, I’ll post that person’s portrait next.* . Amanda was photographed at #CoffeyStreetStudio on 04.23.18 https://www.instagram.com/p/CALctmMFcHE/?igshid=1e5dhj8mvdy4s

[msharkey]

Sam Greenleaf Miller @samgreenleafmiller was the first of my portrait subjects to like yesterday’s post. 👋 Hi Sam! 👋 . I first met Sam in the late 90’s through a mutual friend and our paths have been crisscrossing ever since, through the queer community, through shared friendships, and most recently through her amazingly talented partner Katy (@fashionablesbian). For me, one of the more gratifying aspects of portraiture is creating a visual record of my own life vis a vis the people who play a part in it. The portraits are a document of the time spent together, hanging out in the studio with a common purpose. Looking back on them years later, recalling those moments of laughter and rapport, is the ultimate reward of this work. *The first person I’ve made a portrait of to like this post, I’ll post that person’s portrait next.* . Sam was photographed at #CoffeyStreetStudio on 02.16.18 (at Studio 153) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAIhF38FzT0/?igshid=1hx6zk0xv5q51

[msharkey]

Joel Graham @jgmyriad was the first of my portrait subjects to like Friday’s post. 👋 Hi Joel! 👋 . I began shooting my Queer Kids project 14 years ago and returned to my hometown, Denver for the second shoot of the series in the spring of 2007. Back then I found my subjects primarily through MySpace so I’m assuming this was how Joel and I found each other. Joel was 19 here and although he now lives on the other side of the country, we still keep in touch and even occasionally get to see each other all these many years later, a testament to one of the project’s greatest gifts: the long-lasting friendships that have been made as a result. Hope you are well Joel and looking forward to our paths crossing again one day! . *The first person I’ve made a portrait of to like this post, I’ll post that person’s portrait next.* . Mr. Graham was photographed at his home in Denver, Colorado in May 2007. #queerkids (at Denver, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAGQEPHlh7C/?igshid=dd9vsa49yf4b

[msharkey]

LaQuann Dawson @laquanndawson was the first of my portrait subjects to like Friday’s post. 👋 Hi LaQuann! 👋 . I met LaQuann almost two years ago when he came to visit me at the studio on the advice of a mutual photo editor friend. While talking with him that afternoon I learned a bit about his many interests and pursuits. A photographer and filmmaker of exceptional talent, LaQuann is also a poet, a designer, and more recently a performer though one could argue that he has been performing ever since he turned his camera upon himself. So struck by his work over the past year, I invited him to become the studios first artist-in-residence in February. LaQuann had just finished the first of his 3 month residency when we had to shut the studio down. Very much looking forward to having him back when we’re able. . *The first person I’ve made a portrait of to like this post, I’ll post that person’s portrait next.* . Mr. Dawson photographed at #CoffeyStreetStudio on 08.04.18 and 07.24.19 (at Studio 153) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAD75wMF2I0/?igshid=2tlre62ccnk1

[msharkey]

Patrick Kearns @patkearns_ was the first of my portrait subjects to like yesterday’s post. 👋 Hi Pat! 👋 . I met Pat back in 2009 as part of my Queer Kids project while he was a student at Dickinson College in PA (he was the first openly gay college basketball player in the country) and we’ve stayed in regular contact ever since. After he graduated he moved here to the city so whenever he comes to visit me at the studio I usually end up taking some photos of him. Since it’s so casual (and because he’s a total ham) we experiment. He’s even perched himself in the very difficult and uncomfortable position at the top of a plank so I could re-create the Charles Ray piece. He’s one of the sweetest guys I’ve ever met with the heart of a poet and I feel lucky to know him. . *The first person I’ve made a portrait of to like this post, I’ll post that person’s portrait on Monday.* . Mr. Kearns photographed at #CoffeyStreetStudio, #SharkowiakGardens and Dickinson College 2009-2018. (at Studio 153) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_8Yhp5FfgO/?igshid=y0ukim6xev5y

[msharkey]

Joseph Keckler @josephkeckler was the first of my portrait subjects to like yesterday’s post. 👋 Hi Joseph! 👋 . My dear friend Matthew Placek @matthewplacek introduced me to Mr. Keckler nearly a decade ago at one of Matthew’s now legendary salons and I’ve been one of his biggest fans from that moment on. Our first shoot was in the winter of 2011 and I had a feeling then that it would be the first of many. We always have a great time together but what’s been even more thrilling is having the opportunity to watch Joseph grow into one of NYC’s most ingenious and beloved performers. I am continually surprised by the magnitude of his talent and by his entirely original and slyly twisted take on the world. I feel a pang for all the lost performance this year but perhaps none more than his. Dreaming of the day when I can join a theater full of people and be transported to another world through his singular magic. . *The first person I’ve made a portrait of to like this post, I’ll post that person’s portrait tomorrow.* Joseph photographed at various locations throughout the city 2011-2018. (at New York City) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_5TnPaFnQI/?igshid=tdbnab1h1w5o

[msharkey]

Jack Ferver @jackferver was the first of my portrait subjects to like yesterday’s post. 👋 Hi Jack! 👋 In the fall of 2015 I went to see a performance of Chambre, Jack’s collaboration with artist Marc Swanson at the New Museum. It was the first time I had ever seen Jack perform and it was a complete revelation. Inspired by Genet’s The Maids, Chambre had me howling and I knew I was witnessing something entirely new. I contacted Jack soon afterwards and asked to photograph him. At the shoot it quickly became clear that I had stumbled upon a kindred spirit and the photos we made together that day attest to the chemistry between us, our shared vision, and the pure joy of working together. Each time I’ve had the opportunity to shoot Jack since then has only reaffirmed these feelings. Happily looking forward to more collaborations! *The first person I’ve made a portrait of to like this post, I’ll post that person’s portrait tomorrow.* Jack was photographed in costumes by @reidbartelme at Drive-In Studio (now Root) in NYC on 11.22.15 (at Root Studios) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_2oKFZFZo5/?igshid=17so8td34lkg8

[msharkey]

Jenn Harris @realjennharris was the first of my portrait subjects to like yesterday’s post. 👋 Hi Jenn! 👋 I first met the actor/writer/downtown performance doyenne eight years ago when I made the cover image for “Gayby” starring Jenn and Matt Wilkas at the home of—or more precisely, in the bed of—the film’s director, Jonathan Lisecki. A few years later I had the pleasure of photographing her and Matt once again for their web series “New York Is Dead”. Comedians, especially ones as smart and funny as Jenn are my absolute #1 favorite people to shoot simply because I get to spend the whole day in tears, laughing. Looking forward to seeing you both again soon! *The first person I’ve made a portrait of to like this post, I’ll post that person’s portrait tomorrow.* Jenn was photographed in NYC on 08.06.12 and again at #CoffeyStreetStudio on 02.17.16 (at Studio 153) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_0Byjul7uz/?igshid=1e0w3zpffd9rk

[msharkey]

Danielle was the first of my portrait subjects to like yesterday’s post. 👋 Hi D. Lev! 👋 Although it’s quite likely I’ve photographed no one more than Danielle, she’s only ever sat for a “proper” portrait once for me, 17 years ago. The year I made this—2003—I was a passenger on 92 airplanes(!!), the vast majority with Danielle as I assisted her own photo-making in Wash D.C., Miami, North Carolina, CT, LA (5 times), London, Orlando, San Diego, Jamaica, Reno, Virginia, Texas, Buenos Aires, etc. The 4 years we spent working together we ate-drank-slept photography. 20 years later I feel lucky to still be part of her life. *The first person I’ve made a portrait of to like this post, I’ll post that person’s portrait tomorrow.* Danielle was photographed at her home in StuyTown one sunny day in 2003. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_sVrzgFvlA/?igshid=1cdsbwf8wunl5

[msharkey]

One of my oldest, dearest friends, the creative powerhouse Leila Listo @the_fashion_slayer was the first of my portrait subjects to like yesterday’s post. 👋 Hi Leila! 👋 These photos were shot on good, old-fashioned film in 2003 which I then made into 11x14 prints, probably at Beth Schiffer’s darkroom in Tribeca. Leila has been my collaborator on a number of creative projects, including a short 16mm film which we made together while students at Tisch (and which I’ll show here if I can figure out how to get my hands on a digital copy). *The first person I’ve made a portrait of to like this post, I’ll post that person’s portrait tomorrow.* Ms. Listo photographed at her home in Hell’s Kitchen almost exactly 17 years ago on 05.04.03 (at Hell's Kicthen) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_pyLhKluur/?igshid=ku76jdnhdseg

[msharkey]

Danielle was the first of my portrait subjects to like yesterday’s post. 👋 Hi D. Lev! 👋 Although it’s quite likely I’ve photographed no one more than Danielle, she’s only ever sat for a “proper” portrait once for me, 17 years ago. The year I made this—2003—I was a passenger on 92 airplanes(!!), the vast majority with Danielle as I assisted her own photo-making in Wash D.C., Miami, North Carolina, CT, LA (5 times), London, Orlando, San Diego, Jamaica, Reno, Virginia, Texas, Buenos Aires, etc. The 4 years we spent working together we ate-drank-slept photography. 20 years later I feel lucky to still be part of her life. *The first person I’ve made a portrait of to like this post, I’ll post that person’s portrait tomorrow.* Danielle was photographed at her home in StuyTown one sunny day in 2003. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_sVrzgFvlA/?igshid=fxdc6j3g3csv

[msharkey]

Carling Talcott-Steenstra of the Royal Danish Ballet was the first of my portrait subjects to like yesterday’s post. 👋 Hi Carling! 👋 These photographs were made for Jack Ferver’s “I Want You To Want Me” which premiered at The Kitchen in June 2016 staring Carling, Reid Bartelme, Barton Cowperthwaite and, of course, Jack. *The first person I’ve made a portrait of to like this post, I’ll post that person’s portrait tomorrow.* Carling, Jack et al. photographed at #CoffeyStreetStudio on 04.26.16 (at Studio 153) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_nId9jFi_v/?igshid=1vxekqahwzj7b

[msharkey]

I’m posting these portraits of @michaelcavadias because he was the first person to like my post yesterday. 👋 Hi Michael! 👋 Whoever is the first person I’ve made a portrait of to like this post, I’ll post that person’s portrait tomorrow. Mr. Cavadias was photographed at #SharkowiakGardens on 11.19.14 (at Fort Greene Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_iIWBsFT6A/?igshid=1h8olcxpdqtco