Photog Arielle Bobb-Willis Colorful Approach Creates Fashion Buzz

New York-based photographer/artist Arielle Bobb-Willis is taking the fashion and art worlds by storm with her unique ability to create movement-filled portraits in which the subject’s face is concealed.

This month (March 4, 2018 through April 1st) the self-taught, young talent is showing a collection of photographs titled “Ever-Lucid” at Brooklyn’s Medium Tings gallery.

Commenting on her approach Gallery director Stephanie Baptist wrote via email, “Arielle’ s photographs are bold, complex and at times disorientating, encouraging the viewer to connect with the work, either aesthetically or from a deeper, emotional level. It is rare to see a young photographer with such a commanding visual language. Her use of the staged, performative body is an iconic visual statement, one that has staying power. Despite its compositional nature, the images are almost biographical and come from a very personal place. Her work is an exploration of agency, finding balance and human connections. The strength of her storytelling really spoke to me.”

She’s also generating interest in the fashion world and was tapped by The Cut to shoot and style Thom Ferguson and C’era I’je for the magazine’s spring 2018 fashion issue.

We had an email exchange with Bobb-Willis this week to get her thoughts on the progression of her art.

Snobette: You’re getting a lot of attention from the fashion and art community. How do you transition between art and fashion, in your mind is there a separation?

Arielle: “It’s been really fun stepping out of my comfort zone and working on projects with magazines and designers. There is definitely a separation in my eyes. I feel that because I don’t choose the clothes it doesn’t feel as personal as my art. My art is a way to express my internal logic towards my emotions while editorials are a way to keep growing and see where I can put my knowledge of composition, color, and styling to good use.

“I have always styled my shoots, whether it’s fashion or my art, and last year I worked with a team that had assistants and another stylist. It was really fun to learn about working with a big team. It’s always been just the subject and I and that’s my favorite way to shoot at the moment, but I’m super open to collaborating and working with more creatives!”

Snobette: What are your thoughts of showing your art solo for the first time?

Arielle: “I was very nervous but it was so much fun. I’m definitely not one to be the center of attention. That feeling is definitely reflected in my work. But again I was excited to try something new and talk directly to people who support my art!

“I think Instagram is a great way for people to experience my work but putting them in the real world was necessary. I love that people want to have my pieces in their homes. It’s surreal but I’m really proud of the show and everything I learned about myself and about the gallery process.”

Check out Bobb-Willis’ The Cut images below.