Introducing Storm Cuff, the newest member to the ColorBloc family. Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Storm is an interdisciplinary artist whose work intertwines a variety of artistic fields to develop intricate narratives that encapsulate both individual and collective themes prevalent in the black and brown experience. Her expertise spans photography, painting, filmmaking, screenwriting, creative direction, and art curation. She emphasizes the vital significance of a black woman's viewpoint within the art realm as it adds profound depth to artistic expression. We are excited to welcome Storm into our new ColorBloc Ambassador creative program get to know a little more about her and check out the full interview in Issue 16.
"I know what I USED to see and I know what I WANT to see, and I am seeing NEITHER so, I create it.”
How do you tell a story through your photographs?
My way of telling stories through my photography involves a blend of technical skill and emotional intuition. I spend a tremendous amount of time formulating concepts and writing to place onto people I know would be able to bring my vision to fruition. I tend to create series to convey a full comprehensive narrative, usually involving multiple people in different settings. I find environments just as important as the muse I am photographing as they deepen the viewer’s understanding of the subject matter. Everything in my photographs is intentional even if the magic was created by accident. Sometimes the stories are meant to be interpreted however they are received by an audience because art is subjective, I want people to also come up with their own ideas about what my work means and what it means to them.
What details do you enjoy focusing on in your work?
There are so many details I tend to focus on within my work. I enjoy small nuances in facial expressions or poses. I am huge on placing dynamic poses on my muses and exploring movement. I feel like movement plays a major role in my work, being a dancer my entire life, I still find moments to include the performative art form in my visual art. There is also a focus placed on cultural artifacts whether it’s traditional clothing or personal mementos that provide even greater context and depth. As mentioned previously, environments in which a subject is placed help contextualize the stories. I also enjoy aesthetic choices involving lighting, angles, and composition all of which greatly affect how details are perceived. I think the greatest detail of all is that a black woman is behind the lens and there is something worth noting about a black woman’s perspective when capturing complex images.
How did you get into photography?
My painting practice is actually what introduced me to photography. I had a “fashion meets art” clothing line where I painted a mixture of abstract to realism pieces on denim clothing. It came time to actually drop the line and I reached out to a photographer whose work I really enjoyed, to capture the collection.
I truly admired the work he was able to produce and thought to myself that this is something I can also learn to do and add to my artistic repertoire. Since reaching this discovery, I knew photography would be a new love, a new way of creating visuals that provoke meaning.
What professional photographers have influenced your work and how do you incorporate their techniques into your photographs?
There are several greats that have directly impacted and influenced my work. Through this journey of photography I’ve learned a great deal of knowledge about some of the pioneers and influential leaders within the photography world. Deanna Lawson, Gordon Parks, Carrie Mae Weems, Alex Webb, and so many others have had a role in my understanding of photography and how best to capture the black and brown community. My work consistently centers black people and captures our beauty to the highest degree. All of these photographers have made that their way of practice. Their material is raw, severely present, and unwaveringly black. I find my work models a similar approach, documenting black life in the natural world or through a concept I’ve created still embodying elements of the natural world. Even more so found in my self portraiture, I am constantly learning something new about myself when I place myself as the subject. I am the subject and muse I know best and I have allowed room to recreate myself as many times as I desire, ultimately unlocking my superpower.
What are the most difficult aspects of professional photography?
I find the most difficult aspects of professional photography rely more so in the technical realm. The art of truly mastering a camera, its capabilities, and understanding the importance of certain lighting situations. I think continuously being a student of photography is vital to being great at the art form because you’re constantly learning, which is a never ending commitment. It takes a certain person to have the patience and slight healthy obsession to stick with it and its difficulties and unforgiving moments of creation. Photography is more than the act of pointing and shooting, a photographer must have a great understanding of their relationship to the world they live in and embody that same belief through their photography to maintain honesty and transparency.
Who are your top 5 icons?
My top 5 icons are Solange, Melina Metsoukas, Deanna Lawson, Spike Lee, and Renell Medrano.
What creative sources or outlets do you often visit to get inspiration and renew your creativity?
I gain a lot of inspiration around family and friends or watching films and diving into artistic experiences. I don’t typically source my creativity from social media outlets or platforms. It’s difficult to try to reinvent the wheel as a lot of art is recycled or directly sourced from something that has already been created, but instead of “looking” for inspiration I’d rather be the inspiration I wish to see.
When you’re not creating what thing do you enjoy doing most?
Interestingly, I feel like I’m always creating even if it’s subconsciously. I enjoy seeing art shows, going to live jazz music performances, and going to independent film screenings. Everything I engage in outside of my practices involves art in some way, shape or form.
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