Series description
A Darktown Cakewalk explores the beginnings of cultural transformation through pinhole photography, using objects tied to Black identity as both tools and symbols. The project emphasises the objects' histories and role in shaping cultural identity by inviting subjects to contribute personal items – such as Nike shoeboxes or Eco Styler gel containers – that are transformed into pinhole cameras. The resulting portraits are abstract, blurred and distorted, reflecting the fragmentation of identity when cultural practices and objects are displaced or appropriated.
Biography
Montenez Lowery is a multidisciplinary Black American artist working in Atlanta, GA, pursuing a photography degree at Georgia State University. Utilizing pinhole photography, unconventional portraiture, and mixed media, he explores identity, cultural memory, and the complexities of interpersonal relationships. His work invites critical reflection on personal and collective histories, sparking conversation and awareness around these themes while critiquing the medium itself.
Aziza Hunt and Her Daughter, Emoni; Locs Pinhole Camera
Aziza discussed how locs naturally form in Black hair – a cultural symbol now often appropriated by others. She highlighted the hypocrisy in this, especially given the discrimination Black people face for wearing their natural hair. Hair from the subject was laid on the film.
© Montenez Lowery, United States, Shortlist, Student Competition, In the Beginning, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Aziza Hunt and Her Daughter, Emoni; Locs Pinhole Camera
Aziza was extremely excited about how her children would soon go on their own loc journeys similar to her. Locs were used to create a pinhole camera and the image of mother and daughter was made with some of the mother’s hair on the film.
© Montenez Lowery, United States, Shortlist, Student Competition, In the Beginning, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Cupid Valentine; Shea Butter Container Pinhole Camera
Cupid discussed how trends affect availability, with white consumers treating shea butter as a temporary skincare trend. He gave the photographer a container of shea butter, which was transformed into a pinhole camera to create his portrait, with the film smeared with shea butter.
© Montenez Lowery, United States, Shortlist, Student Competition, In the Beginning, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
King Ose; Shea Butter Container Pinhole Camera
Shea butter was smeared directly onto the 4x5 film the photographer was using to merge the medium with the subject and their message in an inseparable way.
© Montenez Lowery, United States, Shortlist, Student Competition, In the Beginning, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Jai; Nike Retro Low Shoe Box Pinhole Camera
Jai, like others impacted by sneaker culture, spoke about the rising unaffordability of iconic shoes. He gave the photographer the box from his Nike Retro Lows, which was turned into the pinhole camera used to create his portrait.
© Montenez Lowery, United States, Shortlist, Student Competition, In the Beginning, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Self Portrait; Nike Air Force 1 Shoe Box Pinhole Camera
This diptych was the start of this series. After discussing with a friend how much Nike Air Force 1 sneakers now cost, the photographer was inspired to create these images with a shoe box they had.
© Montenez Lowery, United States, Shortlist, Student Competition, In the Beginning, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
B Salem, Nike Shoe Box Pinhole Camera, 2024
B Salem shared how, due to sneaker culture, he can no longer afford the shoes he grew up wearing, as sneakers that were once affordable and popular among Black kids are now incredibly expensive. He gave the photographer one of his sneaker boxes, which was turned into a pinhole camera to create this portrait.
© Montenez Lowery, United States, Shortlist, Student Competition, In the Beginning, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards