Photography Project Exhibition
2019 Spring Grantee
Steven Burton
Originally from the UK, now a full time NYC resident, Steven Burton is a self-taught portrait, travel and lifestyle photographer, with an education in graphic design and advertising. Steven was inspired to launch his “Skin Deep” photo project after seeing the documentary about the work of Father Greg Boyle, who founded Homeboy Industries, to help former gang members reintegrate into their communities. With “Skin Deep” Steven is trying to change the way people view former gang members.
Cafe Royal Cultural Foundation NYC has awarded a visual grant to Steven Burton to help with the installation of his “Skin Deep” project at future Exhibition.
“Skin Deep is a book you absorb through your eyes and into your heart. ”
Marcos Luna, from Steve Burton’s “Skin Deep” Looking Beyond the Tattoos
“Skin Deep” is a portrait series that seeks to understand the impacts tattoos have on former gang members and people trying to escape the gang life; how we as a society judge ex-gang members with tattoos and ultimately how they judge themselves.
Portraits are taken of the participants and their tattoos are digitally removed in before and after images. The before and after images are then presented to the participants and powerful and emotionally charged interviews follow.
Steven hopes this project helps put a very human face on a group of people that are so often demonized by society, by giving them a forum to talk about themselves, families, aspirations for the future and what tattoos mean to them, while the public is educated about the obstacles these individuals must overcome to re-enter society.
When Steven started Skin Deep he had a simple concept: take portraits of heavily tattooed ex-gang members and remove the tattoos using digital re-touching to create before and after portraits. Most of the homeboys/girls hadn't seem themselves without tattoos for decades, so during the interviews Steven presented before and after portraits.
Steven’s first book "Skin Deep, Looking Beyond The Tattoos" with Powerhouse books, has become an internet sensation with collectively over 77 million views on social media. It has also featured internationally on most major news channels, editorial, TV and radio platforms. The premise of the book questions how we as a society judge people based on their appearance and also how we judge ourselves.
Cafe Royal Cultural Foundation NYC is excited to help bring this special project to New York City.
Steven's career has taken him to remote locations around the world such as Tibet, Papua New Guinea, Burma, Asia and the Middle East. He has worked with advertising agencies and NGO’s such as the United Nations, Grass Roots Soccer (South Africa), McGarry Bowen. His personal work has garnered him international acclaim and attention.
Please visit Steven’s Skin Deep Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Skin Deep Website and his website for more information.