Sean Patrick Watters lives and works in NYC. In addition to his studio work with fashion he has an interest in fine art photography and got involved with the LGBTQI+ community. Over the years he has photographed many renowned series of black and white portraits, including Harlem Black, Minneapolis, Montayne’s Rivulet etc. QX asked him about his love of photography and his subjects as part of our BOYS!BOYS!BOYS! Series. We also got the heads up on his new BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! Zine
How were you introduced to the world of photography and when did you realise that you had a passion for it?
I was introduced to photography while on a 9 month musical theatre tour traveling from Maine to Florida and everywhere in between. I met a cousin of one of my cast mates. She was stunning. So, I took ‘sexy’ photos of her on the beach. And, the rest is history. I loved the process of finding the right bathing suit and the right location. Or, Having her hair and make up done, I loved every second of the process. As well as documenting my other cast mates. Whether on our tour bus or where we ate, slept or performed. Any of our downtime. You name it; I shot it.
And, finally, of course, documenting each city if I had the time to see it. This time period was so impactful but not realized until about 10 years or so later. Sounds like hyperbole, but photography changed my life.
What are the subjects of your photography and what are the themes in your work?
Men, sexuality, the male form is what I think that I am most identified with.
Thematically, I am searching for the sense of self. How do we see ourselves? This used to be easier to photograph but social media has made this almost impossible.
Accidentally (sounds funny but true), I started a long term project of photographing a cis-male that I met from Amsterdam. I have photographed him for over 10 years. What started out as a ‘oh, you are pretty just stand there’ project has now morphed to a visual documentation of age/sexuality/connection. I am not sure where or how to end this work with him. We go for long periods of time without seeing each other too. So, I have to work quickly to ‘find’ him again. It’s hard to explain but it made me wish that I had children.
What exhibitions have you been able to participate in?
René-Julien Praz was responsible for putting together my first formal solo show at the Fondation EDF in Paris. It was an exhibition of my portrait work ranging from nudes to street photography in Asia. From there, I was included in their collaboration with Fondslink. The show was called ‘I Have A Tale To Tell’. And, from there, under Mr. Praz’s curation, I was included in all future group shows where some were hosted at Grand Palais, Palais de Tokyo, the Salon at the Louvre, and the Gallerie Perrotin. The visibility was quite extraordinary. My final collaboration with Praz Delavallade was in 2022 for my solo show of black and white portraits called “Under The Same Sky”. I am proud of my work with RJ (René-Julian). He gave me a lot of direction and help.
Also, I collaborated with French designer/perfumer Marc-Antoine Barrois. He held my first formal viewing of my series ‘That Window in Harlem’ back in 2015. It was an exhibition of my male nudes photographed specifically with his designs.
Here in New York, I’ve exhibited my portrait work of my neighbors in a series named ‘Harlem Black’. Kente Royal Gallery in Harlem included my series in their 100 years of the Harlem Renaissance exhibition. This meant the world to me.
Most recently, my work has been on display at the BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! Gallery Café in London to coincide with my new BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! Zine. As an artist, we sometimes work on long term projects never knowing when/if the project will ever find legs. So, to have this zine and exhibition was something that I am still processing. My collaboration with BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! has been surreal. My visibility has been uncharted. I have been in exhibitions from Australia to Korea to New York to Connecticut all due to Ghislain and his laser sharp focus of creating positive queer spaces.
Are you also a photographer for hire? How does one go about commissioning your services or acquiring your photographs?
Yes, I am. You can reach me via my website: www.seanpwatters.com or my IG: swatters
What projects do you have in the pipeline?
Currently, I am editing “Harlem Black”. It is my photo essay documenting the corner of west 116th and Manhattan Avenue (13 years and counting). You can see some of the portraits on my website under the same name.
I am also launching my new BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! Zine at Clamp Gallery in New York on 19 April.
The BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! Zine featuring Sean Patrick Watters & all artworks are available from boysboysboys.org or from the BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! Gallery Café
Social media @boysfineart @swatters and @boysgallerycafelondon
Images courtesy of agent and gallerist to Sean Patrick Watters.
