Baxter Street Camera Club Exhibition at Frieze New York

The 2023 Frieze art fair featured a powerful display from The Baxter St. Camera Club of New York. The club is known for uplifting artists inspired by global conversations on culture, human rights, and racial equality. Artist and filmmaker Simon Benjamin exhibited “sub—marine,” in which he explored the Caribbean’s collective histories featuring mixed media sculptures, photography, and video centered around the unifying power of the ocean.

Benjamin’s sculptures are cornmeal, sand, and beach detritus. They were accompanied by carefully hung images, offering a mesmerizing depiction of time and space. He enriched contemporary landscape photographs with a veneer of blue paint, referencing tropical dreams. The exhibition’s centerpiece was a brief, experimental film that featured montages and on-screen transcripts of conversations. Throughout this multimodal experience, Benjamin emphasized the presence of the ocean, suggesting to experience it as a uniting force rather than a divisive one.

In sub—marine, Simon Benjamin’s art illuminated the complexities of history, identity, and collective memory. His exploration of time and place captivated visitors, urging them to reflect on the significance of images, objects, and spaces across different eras and perspectives. Jil Weinstock, Executive Director of Baxter St in New York City, praised Benjamin’s poetic approach and storytelling prowess, acknowledging his ability to amplify new voices through the Baxter Street Residency Program.

Tannis Norton