Emerald Arguelles is an internationally recognized fine art photographer based in Savannah, Georgia. She takes pride in conveying black people of various walks of life in the true essence of who they are. Emerald draws influences from anime, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Nakeya Brown. She is currently studying at Savannah College of Art and Design. Emerald has had her works exhibited in Italy, Canada, Georgia, and New York.
Tell us a bit about yourself?
I grew up in New Orleans, and after Katrina, I was relocated to Columbus, Ohio, where I then joined the Marine Corps after graduation. After receiving an honorable discharge, I decided to enroll in Savannah College of Art and Design to major in Photography and minor in Production Design.
When did you find interest in photography and what got you started?
I started in photography shooting concerts and musical events in Atlanta. However, maintaining as a full-time student and traveling back and forth to Atlanta from Savannah was too difficult to maintain so I transitioned into a more fine art practice. I started building concepts that were out of the ordinary but then I noticed rather quickly the lack of representation in photography and since I have devoted visibility, inclusion, and representation in photography as my passion.
What is the best way to describe your personal work?
The best way to describe my work is as an overall black experience. Every aspect of the black experience is what I aspire to create and give light to. Regardless if it is classified as fine art or documentary. To give black men and women a chance to see themselves in a beautiful light and black men and women who view them to see themselves represented.
To view more of Emerald Arguelles’s work please visit their website.