Jamel Shabazz's new book, 'Prospect Park: Photographs of a Brooklyn Oasis, 1980 to 2025,' explores his four-decade-long photographic journey through Prospect Park, revealing how the Brooklyn landmark served as a source of healing, inspiration, and a canvas for capturing tender moments of community and nature.
The article delves into the profound connection between acclaimed photographer Jamel Shabazz and Brooklyn's Prospect Park, often considered a refined masterpiece by its designers, Olmsted and Vaux. Shabazz's newly released book, 'Prospect Park: Photographs of a Brooklyn Oasis, 1980 to 2025,' showcases over four decades of his work within the park, which he describes as 'one of my best teachers… a giver of life.' From his first visit as a seven-year-old, Prospect Park offered him a sense of freedom and transformed him through close encounters with nature. Later, it became a sacred, therapeutic space for reflection and healing after his military service and during his challenging career as a corrections officer, particularly at Rikers Island. Shabazz's photographic style, known for its tender reverence for Black and brown New Yorkers, adopted a more organic approach within the park, capturing intimate moments of community, family, and the park's natural beauty across seasons. The book features a vast selection of images, from children chasing butterflies to couples embracing and vibrant gatherings at Drummer's Grove, all imbued with Shabazz's signature care. He views his work as 'visual medicine,' aiming to capture and reflect love, preserving the history and legacy of both the park and its visitors. Though he now visits less frequently, Prospect Park remains a crucial part of his artistic journey, a 'compass' guiding him to capture enduring human connections.
