ARTIST STATEMENT
Essentially, I am a storyteller… and the job of any great storyteller is to tell tales that not only convey emotion and imagination, but ignite them. My photography, which I affectionately describe as being Film Stills from a broader American Story, are themed in the spirit of nostalgia where stories of personal growth, social concerns and life struggles can be told. These images are meant to empower and inspire all those that witness them, which also happens to be the creative pulse behind my body of work.

Influenced by imagery from the Civil Rights Movement and the Harlem Renaissance, the works of James VanDerZee, Gordon Parks, and Roy DeCarava have truly helped me discover and define my style. Their ability to capture emotion, intrigue the mind and tell a story is what inspires me and fuels my commitment to produce work that does the same.

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Award-Winning Photographer, Clifton Henri (b. 1979) was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. He attended Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa where he received his BA in Communication and the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), in Savanah, Georgia where he received his MFA in Graphic Design. Currently a freelance Art Director and Photographer, Clifton has self-published 10 calendars featuring his talents as a photographer, designer and writer. Clifton has worked with clients such as Disney, McDonalds, Dow Chemical, The Chicago Sun-Times... and is currently touring the country.

AWARDS
2008 Katrina Hadley Award - 57th Street Art Fair (IL)
2008 Best in Show - Bucktown Art Festival (IL)
2008 Curator's Choice Artist - Around the Coyote Fall Festival (IL)

2009 Award of Distinction - Winter Park Art Festival (FL)
2009 Award of Excellence - Art at the Promenade (IL)
2009 Best in Photography - East Lansing Art Festival (MI)
2009 Best in Photography - Wells Street Art Festival (IL)
2009 Best in Show - Arts, Beats and Eats (MI)
2009 Editor's Choice Award - CBS Capture My Chicago (IL)

2010 Black Creativity Artist - Museum of Science and Industry (IL)
2010 1st Place in 2D - Art Fest Ft. Myers (FL)
2010 3rd in Show Award - South Miami Rotary Art Festival (FL)
2010 Award of Merit - Gasparilla Festival of the Arts (FL)
2010 Reddy Memorial Award - Gasparilla Festival of the Arts (FL)
2010 Best in Photography - Art City Austin (TX)
2010 Diamond Purchase Award - East Lansing Art Festival (MI)
2010 Merit Award - Edina Arts Festival (MN)

2011 Best in Photography - Black Creativity MSI Chicago (IL)
2011 3rd Place Overall - Black Creativity MSI Chicago (IL)
2011 Award of Honor - Art Festival Beth-El (FL)
2011 Award of Distinction - Naples National Art Festival (FL)
2011 Best in Photography - Art City Austin Art Festival (TX)
2011 Best in Show 2D - Art City Austin Art Festival (TX)