Watch Below as J.Monroe talks the inspiration behind his exhibit “Reflecting Beauty”, Art, Photography and Tulsa
J Monroe is the artistic eye behind many of our favorite celebrities’ photographs. His ability to capture a stunning image, all while telling a story is truly an amazing gift. At seven years old he picked up a camera simply for fun. Decades later what was once solely a hobby, is now his passion and living dream.
We got the chance to speak with the creative photographer and owner of the brand MonroeMedia. Together we discussed the inspiration and thought process behind his new exhibit “Reflecting Beauty”, the influence his hometown Tulsa, Oklahoma has had on him and his work, his slogan, and lastly what’s to come in the upcoming months for him and the brand MonroeMedia.
Let’s first start off with your upbringing, you are from the one and only Tulsa, Oklahoma! How has the city influenced and inspired you and the work that you do today?
So interestingly enough I just turned 30 this year and I say that to say when you turn thirty a lot of perspectives come into play. For example, how you were brought up and where you were brought up. And like you said I’m from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and being from Tulsa Oklahoma, it’s so Black and it’s so excellent. So me being a black-owned business alone is kind of like a foundation of who I am. I’m an offset of Black Wall Street. I am my ancestor’s dream.
I’d also like to say being from North Tulsa, Tulsa is still very much so divided. So, being in a space for Black people where we’re just existing…and I saw nothing but Black people and different types of Black people…as a photographer, I used that as inspiration to show Black people on a multitude of different versions of themselves.
Your personal catchphrase is: “Being born at Black Wallstreet but my mentality was born in the Harlem Renaissance”. Describe the reasoning behind that description.
So, the renaissance part came into play because as I was growing up, I was always intrigued with so many different factors of art. I was always into dancing, I was into acting, I was into the band, I was into photography and graphics. And I will say I think there was a period in time where I felt like everyone just tried to put me in a box of what I’m supposed to do. They tell you focus on one thing, that’s how you make it in this world. Focus on making sure you are doing something that makes you happy, that’s one set thing.
But for me, I’m like…I can’t just be one thing. And as I got older, I went to an HBCU, shout out to Langston University! And you know how it is when you go to any HBCU. They teach you very much so about Black History and just being in space around black people from different parts of the world and you’re seeing different kinds. So I was doing research and I stumbled across Langston Hughes and I stumbled across the Harlem Renaissance and I just felt myself to be engulfed with that. I like to say me and Beyoncé, we’re on one accord. When she came out with Renaissance. I was like seeee, she gets it! She gets me, she gets the vibe I was tryna go for. I really believe I’m just the best version of myself in any capacity that I could try to put myself in. To be a renaissance man is to be a talented creative in different facets of art.
“To be a renaissance man is to be a talented creative in different facets of art.” – J Monroe
Very recently …you put on your first Solo Exhibit in NYC. Congrats! Naturally when you start something new, especially if it’s something you are passionate about there’s a mixture of emotions. You are equally excited and nervous, so how was the process like leading up to the premiere of the exhibit “Reflecting Beauty”?
It happened after a breakup actually. So I went through a breakup, and everybody who’s gone through a breakup knows (especially since it was my first love and first relationship at the age of 29) I felt—like stuck. I needed something that was going to get me out of my funk and keep me focused and get me out of what that world was. I also wanted to embrace this new version of me.
I told myself in 2020 that I wanted to do an art show in New York and COVID happened, so everything stopped. So this, I felt like was the best time to do it, because even though COVID isn’t gone, it has let up a, especially in New York. So the reflecting beauty concept came from exactly that. The idea of growing as an artist, growing as an individual. But also growing as black people, growing as a community. And if you saw the images the idea came from a garden. The photos were references of my flowers and I was the gardener and the reflecting beauty was my garden. I also wanted to insert black people into the space to show them we exist and we can exist as ourselves.
On the brand/magazine that is on his achievement list:
The top of the list is Ebony and Essence, just because growing up your mama always had the magazines in the house. So nostalgically, to be able to shoot for a magazine that I grew up on would honestly mean the world to me. The big magazines will come, like the Vogue’s and Harper’s Bazaar’s. But as you can probably tell…I’m really for the people and I really love the black culture and to say I shot for Essence and to have my mama have the magazine it will just feel a lot more *pause* full circle for me.
Hit the play button below to watch us discuss all things, J Monroe, coming of age, a sprinkle of Black Excellence, and of course art and photography.
Be sure to follow J. Monroe on Instagram @jmnroe and visit his website MonroeMedia.com to take a look at some of his artwork. He’ll also be in Atlanta on January 15th for another stop on the “Reflecting Beauty” tour, so if you or anyone you know wants to check it out be sure to follow him to stay in the know. We got the chance to view the images while visiting Basquiat Bottle in NYC and the images were even more stunning in person.
Basquiat Bottle “Reflecting Beauty” Exhibit
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