Jon Henry: Stranger Fruit
October 30 – March 8, 2026
International Center of Photography
79 Essex St, New York, NY 10002
Scheduled
About This Event
ICP’s Incubator is located on ICP’s ground floor. The space is free and open to the public during cafe and museum hours. Jon Henry’s Stranger Fruit is a response to the epidemic of police killings of Black men—his answer to the question “Who is next? Me? My brother? My friends? How do we protect these men?” For several years, Henry traveled around the United States photographing Black mothers holding their sons in poses reminiscent of Renaissance paintings of the Virgin Mary cradling Jesus following the crucifixion, as well as the mothers alone. The project also includes writing by the mothers expressing their understanding that while they have not lost their sons, it is an ever-present possibility. Portrayed alone, the portraits reflect that potential absence and how, as Henry puts it, when “the protesters have gone home and the news cameras gone, it is the mother left. Left to mourn, to survive.” Stranger Fruit was published as a book in 2022 and has been previously exhibited, but for this installation Henry went back into his archives, pulling together documents, maps, and other ephemera that trace the creation of the project. A generous act of transparency, this presentation allows visitors to see the creative and administrative work that goes into developing a long-term project. About The ArtistJon Henry is a visual artist working with photography and text, from Queens NY (resides in Brooklyn). His work reflects on family, sociopolitical issues, grief, trauma and healing within the African American community. His work has been published both nationally and internationally and exhibited in numerous galleries including Aperture Foundation, Smack Mellon, and BRIC among others. Known foremost for the cultural activism in his work, his projects include studies of athletes from different sports and their representations.He was recently named one of The 30 New and Emerging Photographers for 2022, TIME Magazine NEXT100 for 2021. Included in the Inaugural 2021 Sil
About Stranger Fruit
Stranger Fruit is the second studio album by avant-garde metal band Zeal & Ardor. It was released on 8 June 2018, through MVKA records. It is Zeal & Ardor's first release as a full band, previous releases were entirely composed by singer Manuel Gagneux, although Stranger Fruit only features drummer Marco Von Allmen from the full band alongside Gagneux.
About the Artist
Jon Henry
My thoughts on Puritan writings mixed with other theological topics