'Life'16x20in Silver gelatin

 RE:DEFINE – Jamel Shabazz

At the age of fifteen, Jamel Shabazz picked up his first camera – a 110 Kodak instamatic – and started to document his friends and family. Inspired by photographers Leonard Freed and James Van Der Zee, Jamel Shabazz was marveled with their documentation of the African American community. A few years later, Jamel Shabazz purchased a Canon AE 1 camera and embarked upon a 35-year journey documenting various cultures and people, both here and abroad building a massive body of work, from fashion, documentary, and fine art photography.

 Shabazz says his work is focused on the human experience, which is clearly supported by the titles of some of his two dozen solo exhibitions; “Men of Honor,” “A Time Before Crack,” “New York Underground,” “Women Only,” When two Worlds Meet,” “Back in the Days,” and “Seconds of my Life,” which have been shown from Argentina to Canada, Italy, Germany, France, Japan, as well as various cities throughout the United States.

Jamel Shabazz’s art will be exhibited at the Goss-Michael Foundation from Sept. 16 – 24 for the MTV RE:DEFINE event. His work along with 29 other works of international artist – including Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Rankin, Dan Witz, Shepard Fairey – will be auctioned off at a VIP reception on Saturday, Sept. 24. One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit the Staying Alive Foundation which encourages, energizes and empowers young people who are involved in HIV and AIDS awareness, education and prevention campaigns. For those unable to attend the event, absentee bids will also be accepted including via telephone – please visit www.mtvredefine.com for more information on how to bid.