African Jazz-Arts Society and Studios, American, founded 1956 Search this
Medium:
pigment on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions:
H x W: 15 × 15 in. (38.1 × 38.1 cm)
Type:
portraits
inkjet prints
Place captured:
Queens, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Date:
ca. 1963; printed 2016
Description:
A black-and-white photograph of Jimmy Abu at Riis beach. The photograph depicts Abu at the front center of the foreground squatting on the crowded beach of Jacob Riis Park, with his back to the viewer. His elbows are resting on the top of his thighs, his heels are raised, and he is looking into the distance towards the left side of the photograph. He is wearing medium tone swim shorts, a leather flat cap, and a long sleeve, medium toned letter jacket with black trim at the collar, waist, and cuffs. The sleeves of the jacket are pushed above his elbows. Stitched on the back of the jacket is a black patch in the shape of the continent of Africa. At the top center of the patch is a white outline of a traditional mask with hair draping on either side of the face. Appliquéd black text above and to each side of the Africa patch reads [AFRICAN / MOJABI SOC(---?)]. Directly in front of Abu is a beach blanket where a person on the left appears to be sleeping with a towel wrapped over their head. Also on the blanket is a cooler and a plaid bag with short, black handles. On the right, another man is seated on the edge of the blanket, with his knees drawn up, and his arms wrapped around his shins. The seated man is wearing white swim shorts with a racer stripe down the side and a pair of tortoise shell sunglasses. In the background are other beachgoers seated on beach blankets, some using beach umbrellas. There are no marks or inscriptions, front or back.
