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September 9, 2008 - November 1, 2008
Central Library, Grand Lobby (branch info)
click images to enlarge
 Child Angels © Steven Hoffman
 Boys Playing Basketball © Steven Hoffman
 Elevator Man in House © Steven Hoffman
My intention with this exhibition is to document the people who live in
the Coney Island housing projects, in the hopes that the larger world would
understand and value the lives of these people.
In 2004, I met a community activist named Sonny Fonville, who knew everyone
in the projects. With his help, I began a four-year journey through the housing
projects along Surf, Mermaid and Neptune Avenues. In 2006, I started to take
portraits of the people in Carey Gardens against a graffiti-covered wall on 23rd
Street and Mermaid Avenue.
Many photo sessions turn into family affairs, as people stop by to discuss a
picture of a child or grandchild. I like to give each of my subjects a copy of the
photograph as a token of my appreciation. Sometimes when I arrive, people are
already waiting to either have their portrait taken or get a picture I took of them
several weeks before.
I use a wide angle lens in order to get as close to the subjects as possible. I usually
take about 8 to 10 shots, which gives them a chance to relax and act as naturally
as possible. One of the highest compliments I have been paid from relatives is
"That's really them" or "That's how they really are."
Steven Hoffman's work in Coney Island was recently profiled by The New York Times. He has shown his work in a group show at Brooklyn Museum and in a solo show at Museum of the City of New York. It has also been published in City Limits magazine. He attended Brooklyn College and took advanced courses in printing and documentary photography at the International Center for Photography.
To contact the artist:
shoffman@shalomint.com
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