Photographer

COLORADO

English

http://www.JoelBelmont.com

I have spent over a decade working in the photographic arts. The themes in my work pursue spiritual ideas and ideals-contrasting the limited world of matter and the five senses with the unseen spiritual realities of life, which govern our being and the world around us in precision and goodness. While spiritual qualities are not something one can see with the eye, I work with visual metaphors to hint at the deeper truths, questions and struggles of life, and convey them in a universal way that the viewer can relate to in their own experience.

I work in large format film (4×5” negatives), develop and print my own black and white images by hand in both traditional wet and dry darkrooms.

Born in Canoga Park, CA in 1977, I grew up on the Monterey Peninsula, where such photographic masters as Edward and Brett Weston, Ansel Adams, and Wynn Bullock lived and worked. After moving to Oregon and spending six years there, I came to Colorado where I have resided for the past ten years, near Aspen.

My wife, Lili Belmont is an accomplished painter from Germany who also frequently exhibits internationally. Every few months I finish new projects, working in the studio, landscape, or out on the road, both in the United States and abroad.

My latest project addresses a social issue: Female Genital Mutilation, which is prevalent in African Countries, though it continues in most every christian and muslim country today.

It is an unnecessary practice in which all or part of a girl’s or woman’s genitalia are (often crudely) removed, in hopes that they will be more faithful to their husbands, and that their sexual nature will be physically removed.

It is estimated that 3-5 million young girls are subjected to this every year. It can result in physical challenges, complications for childbirth, and can even result in death.

It is my hope, through my book (slowly wrapping production after 18 months) that it will raise awareness for this needless act, and encourage support for such organizations as Tostan.org (whom half of the proceeds from the book will be donated to).

You can find out more at http://www.LabiaProject.com

Yes! I want to be featured!

I agree