The Power of Photography: An Interview with WFU Style Alum, Jazmyn Green
This summer, WFU Style reconnected with one of its most recent alumni, Jazmyn Green. Jazmyn majored in the sciences at Wake Forest University, but her true passion lies in the arts and fashion. As a mixed media artist, Jazmyn uses her skills in pursuit of “disrupting norms”. A self-proclaimed fashion photographer, Jazmyn hopes to “fix diversity on all levels” whether it be through products, models, photographers, employees, or executives. She uses her work to exemplify diversity and “how strong and beautiful” it can be.
In the following interview, discover Jazmyn’s work, her ambitions, thoughts on the influence (both good and bad) of social media, and the power of art as it relates to today’s sociopolitical climate.
Instagram: @jazmyngreen99
When did you start making art and what is your favorite medium to work in?
I started making art probably around the age of 5 or 6. It started with poetry and singing. When I was slightly older I created a sketchbook for clothing designs I thought up, however I couldn’t really draw (and still can barely draw a straight line) the ideas were there. However, my main medium is photography. I started photography as an art requirement in the 9th grade. I chose photo because I hated art classes due to the fact that I am pretty useless in any other “classic” art medium. Photo quickly switched from a mandated class to a passion I couldn’t get enough of.
What messages do you hope to convey through your art?
Usually, in my work, I want to disrupt norms. Because I am a self-proclaimed fashion photographer, I always have a conflict when consuming content and purchasing from brands I support because most of the time they don’t truly value people like me, a black woman. I won’t go into all the issues with the fashion industry, but a big [issue] that I want to take down is fixing the diversity on all levels: products, models, photographers, employees, and executives. So in my work, I try to show this diversity and how strong and beautiful is usually through the models.
Also sometimes there isn’t really a message beside I thought this looked cool or I am just having fun.
What or who influences your work the most?
My biggest influences are my longtime love for fashion, other creators on Instagram, and academia. Some of the electives I have taken at Wake have turned out to be big influences on my work especially the feminist theory and black queer thought classes. They made me want to create more thought-provoking images.
Some of my favorite photographers on Instagram right now are: Terralynn Joy @terra.xoxo, Jordé @jordevity ; Lainey Conant @kittylouu; Drue Schnelle @druephoto; Natasha Wilson @natashawilson.co; Joel Dubroc @joeldubroc; and Tobi O @heytobs
Where do you find your inspiration?
Largely Instagram through those photographers I follow or photography pages like @all_minimal & @crwnmag.
I often find inspiration in songs, literature, movies, and short films too. Basically I feed off of others’ creativity; I sit with what aspects I like of their work and see how I could channel it in mine in some way.
How does social media play a role in the art you create?
Social media is tricky for me. It can simultaneously inspire and block me from creating. In the beginning social media was a road block because I would compare myself to other photographers (around my age or famous). It caused me to constantly put my work down, not want to share it, or even tell others that I’m a photographer.
Now for the most part social media inspires me - I draw a lot of inspiration from other young photographers on the platform. It can still sometimes be a road block but I am much better at handling it now due to gaining confidence and support from friends and followers.
“Social media is tricky for me. It can simultaneously inspire and block me from creating”
How do you feel about art at Wake Forest? Do you feel there are enough spaces and outlets for artists on campus?
Being a science major I did not know much about art at wake forest until my Junior year. I think it’s a shame that scales is so disconnected from the rest of the university or at least the science folks. Overall I wish the university would promote it more or maybe look into having our own museum.
I do not think there are enough spaces or outlets for artists on campus. I wish wake had more photography classes or a photography minor at least. I also think if spaces were created it would become really white-dominated space as wake tends to struggle with diversifying (despite the big game they talk across their platforms).
Do you agree that art (mixed media and otherwise) can serve to be a powerful tool for political activism- specifically in light of the outrage ensuing the murder of George Floyd?
100% I agree. The mixed media art and heart wrenching or heartwarming photos that have surfaced on Instagram have really managed to change some people’s perspectives and prejudices which is such an important outcome from the murder of George Floyd so this can stop continuously happening to black people. This art [mixed media] can cause people to truly face reality. You can avoid written words, you can mute videos, but it is hard to unsee an image that is flashed on your screen. I think given all of the information that is being provided for people right now sometimes wordy posts or simply screens and screens and screens of videos/words can cause people to zone out or mindlessly flip through. But art is eye-catching and sometimes easier for people to connect with.
“This art [mixed media] can cause people to truly face reality. You can avoid written words, you can mute videos, but it is hard to unsee an image that is flashed on your screen.”
One of Jazmyn’s pieces, highlighted on her Instagram page.
Jaz Green Photography.
“I urge people to try and diversify their feed, leave comments, share people’s works, send DMs, little things like that are huge and incredibly encouraging.”
Can you comment on how you express the “black experience” in art? I know we discussed it a lot in our seminar this semester, and as an artist of color I would love to know how you feel about representing the black body in art? Do you agree with Emma Amos that to walk into an art studio as a black woman is itself a political act?
This was something I kept coming back to throughout the semester because before this past year I aired on the side of not wanting to have my work always be “black art.” However, after reading and learning about artists like Emma Amos I think it is in fact impossible to separate it. Now I think that my art is simple just my perspective and experience and I am a Black woman so in a sense everything it the “black experience.” Meaning I do agree with Emma Amos. During this time with all of these brands just now starting to “diversify” their social media feeds and being transparent about the makeup of their exec there are just so few black people. So just taking up space in those predominantly white areas feels like a sociopolitical act.
What is next for you more immediately and do you see yourself pursuing a career in the arts?
It took me all four years of college to finally commit to this but yes I want to pursue a career in the arts. My plan is to move to LA and just get my hands on anything in the fashion, photography, and film fields. I’m also still considering going to get a MFA in fashion photography but I need at least a year off from academia. So basically, the immediate goal is to work hard to build up my portfolio and make a name for myself. My ultimate dream though is to own my own successful fashion line one day.
Is there anything else you want to highlight or focus on in this article?
Right now with everything happening one way to help and support the black community is by amplifying black voices, this includes creators. It is incredibly difficult to make it in the world and it’s even more difficult as black person. So I urge people to try and diversify their feed, leave comments, share people’s works, send DMs, little things like that are huge and incredibly encouraging. They also help spread our work.
I think a comment I saw on instagram by @riancjohnson responding to this question:
“How exactly does following black photographers help us face the struggle against racism overall?
Their response was
“It’s a small & personal action, but the photos a person takes shows you the world from where they stand, through their eyes. When you see a person’s photos you're listening to them. [We] need to listen to more black voices''.
With that
Check out my insta @jazmyngreen99 & website www.jazgreen.com for more of my work.
Thank you to Jazmyn for taking the time to respond to WFU Style’s questions. We are so excited to see what you do next!
Links to Jazmyn’s Instagram page and website portfolio all found here + links to the artists she highlighted throughout our conversation.
Insta: @jazmyngreen99
Website www.jazgreen.com
Terralynn Joy @terra.xoxo, Jordé @jordevity ; Lainey Conant @kittylouu; Drue Schnelle @druephoto; Natasha Wilson @natashawilson.co; Joel Dubroc @joeldubroc; and Tobi O @heytobs
