Featured Artist of the Month : Sharon Heyward Apr. 2015 | TheArtList - Art & Photo Calls for Visual Artists and Photographers.

Sharon Heyward

Newark, New Jersey

A little over two and a half years ago, I discovered my passion for photography. I was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey where I still reside. There is much wrong with my city, as evidenced by our high crime and poverty statistics. Although I see the ugly every single day I leave my house...I choose to see the beauty here as well. I therefore photograph what I see and try to restore it's beauty with each photograph. I find that I am especially drawn to windows and doors. Perhaps it is because they offer a way to enter into new great possibilities, or allow one to see into a bright new future.

I was raised by my grandmother who would often take me to the Hahne's department store in downtown Newark as a child where I would marvel at the fine furnishings, shiny floors and lovely clothing. Even now, many years later, although the building is abandoned, filthy, decaying and crumbling, I am still drawn to it as it is still beautiful. It has a past and personality and reminds me of the wonderful times spent with my grandmother who cared for me when no one else would.

Why am I drawn to crumbling brick walls, abandoned houses, decaying doors and buildings? Who the heck knows! Perhaps it is because in spite of all their faults, they are all still beautiful...in my eyes. They are all still standing and have faced the ravages of time and circumstance and still have a voice that speaks to me. They inspire me to keep moving forward despite the adversities I have faced or the circumstances in which I may find myself. They inspire me not to accept stereotypes that have chased me my entire life. They inspire me to stand tall, although broken and weathered, and to still have hope and to dream of mighty dreams.

Although many of the neighborhoods I photograph have dangerously high instances of crime, I still, through my photographs, hope to show that Newark was once a very grand and beautiful city. Many of the buildings I photograph I remember seeing in their splendor as a child. Newark, as well as the many other cities I photograph, have been ravaged by urban decay and yet are still strong and I do not want them or their proud residents forgotten.

How and when did you start creating art?

A little over two and a half years ago my daughter suggested that I join Instagram. I eventually did. However, I quickly got bored with the Facebook type posts I can across and somehow found my way to the abandonment, filth and decay genre. I was greatly inspired by and received tremendous support from fellow urban explorers which led me to discover my passion for the lost and forgotten.

What media and genres do you work in?

I work with photography to capture both urban decay and abandonment. I also have a great love of rural abandonment. Over time I developed a focused passion for the windows and doors of the abandoned buildings and factories I photograph.

Who or what are your influences?

I was greatly influenced by art activist Seph Lawless whose breathtaking images in his "Autopsy of America" series which has received worldwide recognition. His haunting images of abandoned places spoke to my soul.

What was your inspiration for House On Haunted Hill?

My inspiration for my photo, "House On Haunted Hill" came from the eerie feeling I had standing in front of this abandoned mansion. As I walked closer to the building to inspect and take multiple shots, I could feel a cold draft coming through the broken windows and cracked doors. I knew then I would try to capture that eerieness in my final edit.

Describe your creative process?

My creative process is hard to describe. I always seek out interesting subjects with a story to tell. Music plays a huge part in my editing process and my editing mood. I use song lyrics as captions/titles to my work. I am also greatly influenced by movies and sometimes draw inspiration from them, such as naming a piece "House On Haunted Hill".

What are you working on currently?

Currently I am planning on another road trip to the rural South to photograph rural abandonment. I am very excited with the idea of finding interesting dilapidated barns and shacks.

What are your near/long term goals as an artist?

My near term goal is to continue to shoot urban abandonment to bring light to the plight of our inner cities. My long term goal would be to be able to present my art to a wider audience to bring about more awareness to the urban decay of our forgotten cities.