Folk, Us (2024) is a selection of works that draw inspiration from, and blur the lines between what is perceived as 'commercial' photography and 'personal' photographs. As artists and creatives, career and passion are often one and the same. Though we operate in a system that prioritizes capitalistic pursuits, Folk, Us invites viewers to ask themselves "What if an artist's work has value in all forms with or without virility or purchasability?"
The works included move through a range of emotions, and dance between commercial viability and deeply personal images that may only speak to the artist herself. All the while, uniting the universal experience of artists who battle the pressure of society and social platforms to keep creating yet somehow sustain a manageable life.
About the Artist
Jes Nijjer is a natural light photographer, currently based in Indianapolis. Over the past 8 years she has explored this medium to carve her personal style as one that balances soft light and stark shadows. Much of her work focuses on food and beverage photography, though her approach falls in line with street and documentary photography. Blending these genres, she creates uniquely candid images.
Her personal work gravitates towards architecture, bodies of water, details in nature, and moments often overlooked.
Of late she has been traveling to different states and countries to observe the varying practices in how communities engage with cooking and dining experiences.
