Mel D. Cole: American Protest. Photographs 2020-2021

Photographer Mel D. Cole started driving around New York City documenting the streets during the COVID pandemic lockdowns in April 2020. This therapeutic exercise became a call to action upon the murder of George Floyd, and Cole dedicated the rest of 2020 to photographing the Black Lives Matter protests that swept the country. His powerful body of work from that summer is a collective memory of the hurt, outrage, and courage of people compelled to take action following Floyd's brutal death. Inspired by the 1960s black-and-white documentary tradition, Cole seeks to create a "collective memory" that continues the legacy of the civil rights movement.

Format: Hardback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 07 October 2021
Publisher: Damiani

Photographer Mel D. Cole embarked on a unique project in April 2020, as the world grappled with the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating impact of lockdowns. While many were confined to their homes, Cole chose to venture out into the streets of New York City, armed with his camera. What began as an almost therapeutic exercise quickly transformed into a powerful call to action following the tragic murder of George Floyd. Determined to make a difference, Cole dedicated the remainder of 2020 to capturing the Black Lives Matter protests that swept across the country.

Beyond documenting the events in New York City, Cole traveled to cover protests in Washington, DC, and Richmond, Virginia. His extensive body of work, a testament to the resilience and determination of the human spirit, encapsulates the profound hurt, outrage, and courage of those who were compelled to take action in the wake of Floyd's brutal death. Drawing inspiration from the black-and-white documentary tradition of the 1960s, Cole aims to create a collective memory that continues the legacy of the civil rights movement. However, this historical through-line serves as a bitter reminder of the oppression and resistance that persist even today.

Cole has expressed his profound dedication to this project, stating, "Shooting the Black Lives Matter movement is the most important work of my entire life. It meant the world to me to document and do this service. This is what I have to offer, this is my platform, and my eye to tell the stories." Through his powerful images, Cole has not only shed light on the ongoing struggle for racial justice but also inspired others to join the fight. His work serves as a testament to the power of visual storytelling and the ability of art to bring about change.

Weight: 976g
Dimension: 225 x 299 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9788862087544