Jenna Cable – Q&A

We are delighted to introduce the work of street photographer Jenna Cable who is an observer and a collector of simple moments.  Cable first became really consumed with taking photos when she moved to New Orleans and didn’t know a soul there. Her bike and camera became her two most loyal friends. Cable filled the spaces with pleasant stranger interaction. It was during this time that she began to see that there is a stunning beauty in ordinary, everyday life and began to learn that most people are good.

Cable is inspired by human interaction and humour. On one hand, she is constantly looking for ways that she can inspire others to contemplate our connectedness. On another, keeping a light heart and being able to laugh at herself is at the core of everything she does and this tends to come through in her work.

Self-taught or art school?

Self-taught! I don’t know if I’m more hesitant or delighted to admit that, but I can say that I’m very grateful for the path that I’m on right now. I have a great friend who I used to work with… in another life he had been a wedding photographer. We ordered dinner to the office one night after work and he showed me how to manually operate a camera and I kind of took it from there. My first year (probably more) of work was absolute shit but the learning is all a part of the journey and I’ve had a blast.

If you could own one work of art what would it be?

The first thing that comes to mind is David Choe’s painting of Anthony Bourdain.

To me, Anthony’s entire being was a work of art. His curiosity, vision, voice, humour, authenticity… chef’s kiss. No pun intended. The way he brought people together and allowed them to feel safe to open up. His viewpoint on life and the human experience. The way he urges you to consider the fact that we’re all the same. It’s all positively unmatched, in my opinion. And all with such ease.

There’s also a darkness, haunting in the painting and in his being. There’s a duality in life, there must be. It’s like… let’s not pretend it’s all roses all the time. I respect that. It’s really a shame that he’s not here anymore. I think a lot of people miss him.

I’m saying all these feelings about the subject of the painting, but that’s not to discredit Choe or the painting itself. I like the style of it, a little bit abstract. According to Reddit, it’s with his estate now. So, I guess I take back wanting to own it because I’d rather it be there. Maybe I don’t have a good answer for you.

How would you describe your style?

Street photographer who barely knows what she’s doing but really likes to travel seems fitting.

Can you tell us about your artistic process?

I’ve had a hard time calling myself a photographer, let alone an artist. I consider myself more of an observer. I have to be in a certain mood, I don’t know that I’d be able to put it into words. I like to be by myself. I like to watch what a person will do or what a situation will become if it is completely uninterrupted. Everyday life unfolding. I’ve always been interested in psychology, but I never studied it. Maybe this is my way of getting that in for this lifetime. I lived in New Orleans when I first got into photography and I loved capturing the musicians when they were lost in the music. Eventually, I turned around and started seeing how the people around me, watching the musicians, were taking it in. I loved that. Picking up on those human quirks, reactions, elations, movements for the first time was a game-changer.

I am shooting exclusively on film right now. I don’t have a fancy camera. I didn’t shoot for almost a year and then I switched to film, I’m not sure if I remember exactly why. It breathed new life into it for me. I love the character film gives to a photo. Most importantly, I love that you have 24 or 36 shots in a roll and you have to be mindful about how you’re using them. I also really enjoy the anticipation of getting the film back. Sometimes I find a finished roll in a bag that I’ve forgotten about and it’s like reliving those days all over again. There is, of course, a time and place for digital and I would be foolish to say I’ll never go back to that. Where I’m at in life right now, the slowness of film is essential for me.

Is narrative important within your work?

Sometimes if I see a frame that I like within a city, town, whatever… I will stand and wait for an interesting subject to enter it or pass by it. I want to see and capture a story. I want the viewer to be able to take a look into what life in Philadelphia or LA or the middle of nowhere Maine or Kentucky is like for one split second. This is the only time in my life that I am able to practice a shred of patience. I’m not much of a director or portraitist but it is also fun when the story is being told by a friend or family member. There are a few of those mixed in with my work as well. It’s not always strangers!

Short answer – Yes.

Who are your favourite artists and why?

I went to an exhibit in Amsterdam showing Santu Mofokeng about two years ago. I had never heard of him before and have thought about his work so much since then. What I remember reading about him is that he was a documentary photographer who captured the sociological, political, cultural changes that were going on in South Africa in the 80s. He also captured family celebrations and everyday life. Funerals, too. I thought that was so interesting. It maybe feels taboo to document people grieving in that way, at least speaking from the standpoint of American culture. But why? What is life without death? It’s important to see. I remember a lot of the photos were of commuters on a crowded train. “Train Church”. There is something so incredibly captivating and alluring about the way he saw humanity. One of his photos is my phone background. Sometimes a friend will ask if I took the photo which is like… such an insane compliment, but probably more so indicative of the fact that that person is simply really into sports. Which is cool!

I also deeply admire the fact that within a few frames you can tell that a movie was made by Wes Anderson. I think that’s the true identity of an artist.

I love Etel Adnan’s work. I love Jeff Bridges’ photography. Annie Leibovitz of course. Georgia O’Keefe. Marjorie Eaton was an incredible painter. What I remember about her is that she went to Taos, NM, and ended up falling in love with one of the Taos Pueblo natives, Juan Mirabal. She stayed there for years. They both created these really nice paintings of each other and of that special place. Their love story was inspiring and heartbreaking. And, maybe basic, but … I really love Van Gogh. Henri Cartier-Bresson. I can’t not mention Larry David – the greatest comedic writer of our time. Can you tell that I’ve never studied art theory or history?

Last but certainly not least, I have another dear friend who I met at a completely transformative time in my life, a few years ago. Everything he touches becomes art- food, clothes, film, plants, a guitar, a tree root that he probably (definitely) pulled up himself and will turn into the most beautiful spoon. He’s one of my favorite artists but unfortunately, the world doesn’t have the pleasure of knowing him yet; I feel lucky.

What or who inspires your art?

Humor is a big inspiration to me. Lightheartedness. Places I haven’t been to yet. New faces. Especially new faces that are open to sharing a part of themselves. My family. My friends. Ordinary moments. Simplicity.

Also, do not get me wrong. I’ve said all these words about humans and human interaction and the need for a subject to create a narrative. I also love the absence of humans when it feels fitting, places and things humans have left behind. I love a fruit stand in the middle of nowhere. I love sneakers hanging from a telephone wire. I love abandoned buildings and interesting cars. I love fog. I love the mountains and the ocean.

Where’s your studio and what’s it like?

I don’t have a studio! My “studio” is a city, a small town, a diner, a back road, a place with music, a place with movement and life. What’s it like? Glorious. When I’m really in the right mood to go shoot… it’s the time I feel most like myself and can breathe the deepest.

What are you working on currently?

If you haven’t already gathered, I am extremely interested in human connection. I am especially interested in the instantaneous comfort you feel upon meeting certain people. I think sometimes there’s a recognition… have I known this person before? Maybe in another life? Or are we made up of the same essence? I don’t subscribe to one religion, but I do believe in something bigger than ourselves. Whatever you want to call it… I don’t really think it makes a difference. I think there’s something connecting all of us and I think it makes life easier to appreciate that. Why would I harm you or think ill of you if I can fully recognize that you are the same as me?

So anyway, I am collecting stories and photos of people I have met along the way who have made me feel at ease and sparked that instant connection. When I am able, I like to learn about their lives; where they’re from, their favorite places to travel to, their favorite foods, what makes them who they are, what has been easy for them, what has been hard for them. This concept is always in the back of my head and it has been for some time. Who knows where it will go!

Where can we buy your art?

I can be contacted through my website – www.jennacable.com! I intentionally do not have a shop set up on there currently, but I am selling prints. I want to keep the interaction open between artist and buyer for as long as I can, and I don’t want it to feel purely transactional. I want there to be the option for us to know as much about each other as we are willing to share or want to learn.