Black History Month: Xavier Scott Marshall
Black Woman, Black Book, 2021 © Xavier Scott Marshall
By Dani Martin
Xavier Scott Marshall is a first-generation Trinidadian-American photographer, currently based in London. His work revolves around relationships, both intimate and unfamiliar, with references to identity, family, and faith. At the core of his images, however, Marshall focuses on “reinterpret[ing] past narratives, creating new perspectives in familiar territories.”
Marshall remarks that his initial interest in photography began at a very young age, with an early memory of his mother’s camera.
“For as long as I can remember, I have been obsessed with the physicality of mechanical cameras,” he writes, “My mother always had cameras around the house during my childhood, and some of my earliest memories - as young as five years old - are of me being enamored by the many knobs, buttons, and overall feeling of holding her thirty-five millimeter Canon. From that moment on my curiosity has never waned.”
Photography left an impression on Marshall at a young age, propelling him forward into his career that has already been met with much success.
Ritual, 2020 © Xavier Scott Marshall
In 2016, Marshall worked as an assistant to renowned photographer Steven Klein, which provided him with even more opportunity to continue exploring his passion. Marshall writes that “since [he] was a teenager, [he] was always obsessed with the way Steven created his own world and managed to keep his vision consistent across the many years of his career. He’s unapologetic in his self expression, and has mastered the art of encapsulating [audiences] in the narrative of his images.”
Klein’s artistic expression and unique sense of self instilled in Marshall a confidence to openly express himself through his work.
“Spending so much time observing him,” he says, “Gave me the confidence to not restrict myself or the things that were revealed to me through my imagination.” Marshall also says that through this opportunity, he was able to work with Liz Johnson Artur, which he notes as “one of [his] favorite image-makers of the past few decades.”
Lot, 2016 © Xavier Scott Marshall
Roadside, 2016 © Xavier Scott Marshall
Identity plays an integral role in Marshall’s images, not only through the narratives of others, but also his own exploration of identity. In his work, Marshall “aim[s] to explore parts of [his] identity that have been lost, due to the constant migration and displacement [his] family have been subjected to.” As he surveys his past and the losses he and his family have experienced through the difficulties of displacement, Marshall also investigates a sense of present and future identity. He desires to push the boundaries and “expand the limited narrative of the contemporary negro experience, by bridging the gap between the many different metaphysical facets of modern ‘blackness’.”
Brother, 2019 © Xavier Scott Marshall
For Marshall, trust is paramount in creating images. When making an image, “there is nothing more significant to [him] than building a sense of trust and comfortability with [his subjects]. [He has] always used [his] photography as a tool to come out of [his] comfort zone and truly connect with people, which has made way for all of the strongest relationships in [his] life.” Through trust arises beautiful and significant imagery, and a powerful connection to the people he photographs. To Marshall, a trusting and comfortable relationship between artist and subject makes all the difference:
“It’s so imperative that there is a mutual bond between subject and artist,” he says. “It allows for a natural progression up until the moment they are captured and beyond.”
Hate Church, 2019 © Xavier Scott Marshall
The future of Marshall’s career resides outside of two-dimensional pieces, and is moving into a more immersive experience.
“I envision my images transcending the second dimension,” he writes, “And entering a new territory of physical works that help express the messages more eloquently. I’ve begun experimenting with the incorporation of space and objects as gestures to map out the narrative and immerse the observer in the work.”
Accessibility is also at the forefront of his future, as he explains how he plans to represent himself and his stories.
“I believe artwork should be accessible, and to me, museums are finally beginning to represent that accessibility. So my goal is to align myself with the institutions that will carry my stories to the audiences of like-minded individuals that need it most.”
Apollo, 2019 © Xavier Scott Marshall
