To welcome Stéphane Alexis to the FFOTO roster, we invited fellow FFOTO artist Janice Reid to lead a conversation with him via Zoom. Both of these artists make work that explores aspects of their Caribbean diaspora backgrounds, producing photographs that suggest the resiliency and histories - and futures - of the Black experience. The resulting conversation is a fascinating exchange of ideas about the approaches and inspirations that drive these talented emerging artists’ photo-based practices. Reid and Alexis offer insight into how their experiences and communities inform the themes they explore through their work, and where they see their practices heading in the future.

Vance Stevens was a college student when he first met Irene Fay. In time, he would become instrumental in helping her secure dealer representation, continuing to offer support and advice from behind the scenes for the rest of Irene’s life.

As Vance’s career transitioned from teaching to freelance graphic and interior design, his relationship with Irene and her family gradually intertwined. With residences in New York City and the Catskills, Vance gained insight into Irene the artist, and Irene the person. I talked to Vance about his friendship with Irene. The admiration and affection he holds for Irene, whose art practice is now being reintroduced to the world via FFOTO, is evident throughout our conversation.

The photographic practice of Irene Fay spanned nearly half a century, amassing a body of work that gives viewers a chance to see the world through her eyes. She photographed the things and people that surrounded her, often while cooking and raising her children. Though she had a keen photographic eye, she was also a master in the darkroom, using her skills to transform her images into photographic objects that evoke a sense of mystery.

To introduce collectors to Irene’s captivating body of work, available exclusively via FFOTO, we have collected some of her own thoughts on her practice to share with you here.