Jason Woods is no stranger to the concept of
documentation. Through photography, he takes snapshots of humanity and records
its effects with a click of a button. Since the early 90s, Woods has been collecting,
documenting, studying and making a name for his artistry. Doubling as one of
the hottest DJ’s in Houston, Woods is even more fascinating when he spins
tracks from the past and future. Fast-forward
to today, the multifaceted artist is a force to be reckoned. His latest photo exhibition,
Surrounded by Giants, recently
debuted at the Community Artist’s Collective and proves that Woods is well on his
way to becoming the next…
Born and
raised in Houston, Texas, Woods developed his love for photography at Jakes
Yates High School. Upon graduation, he knew that photography and spinning
records would be the food that keeps him alive, so he earned a degree in photography
from Sam Houston University.
Having been
in the photography business for 10 years, the laid-back Houstonian said candidly,
“Photos always spoke the most to me.”
To that end,
Woods’ alter ego even has a name—Flash Gordon Parks—a name given to him by his
good friend, Eric “Equality” Blaylock.
In 2004, Woods
and Blaylock stumbled on an opportunity to collaborate on a photo-poetry
exhibition called, The Beautiful Side of
Ugly. The exhibit depicted the realities of urban areas in Houston, Texas,
and featured images by Woods, words by Blaylock, and included a commemorative
book.
Through his
work, Woods passionately captures and documents dynamic images in the city of
Houston and beyond.
“Houston is layered and can fool you,” said
Woods. “There are so many different dimensions that are unique and interesting.
The people are genuine and have a southern feel. The city is a big enough
metropolis that is fast and slow—just what you need. When I take pictures, I
look for the sultry in things that we commonly see and overlook and try to
capture an understanding on a new level.”
His latest
project, Surrounded by Giants, was commissioned
this month to exhibit at the Community Artist’s Collective. The show is a
tribute to the diminutive details that shape the African American community and
exposes bigger meanings within the culture.
Through this
exhibit, Woods felt moved to shoot cultural nuisances and extract the microcosms
of life through the lens of his camera. Surrounded
by Giants is an 18-piece photographic documentary featuring work from
Houston and New Orleans.
Also a record
collector, Woods is the founder of Straight
No Chaser and Easin’ IN— two
monthly music series. It is through record
collecting that Woods studies music then translates his own ideas and concepts that
emerges in the raw when he’s deejaying.
“The true art of a deejay is by knowing all
genres of music. You have to be a student first,” said Woods.
With all of
the hats that Woods is wearing at thirty-two-years old, Jason Woods is a modern
day Renaissance man.
He begs to
differ.
“I don’t like
to box myself in to that scenario,” said Woods. “Life is not hard at all. I am
original because I am me. I want to do what I want to do and not be confined by
anything,” he said.
By Atlas Brown
Editor @ The Cultural Weekly
Editor @ The Cultural Weekly
Jason Woods
Surrounded by Giants
Surrounded by Giants
Photography Exhibition
The Community Artist's Collective
May 2012
The Community Artist's Collective
May 2012
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