Artist Details
| Artist Name | Zora J. Murff |
|---|---|
| Born | 1987 in Des Moines, Iowa |
Artist Biography
The subject of this photograph is unknown, referenced to only as Dillon in the title. With his back turned to the camera, his identify is further hidden. This photograph is part of a series titled Corrections, which aims to humanize the children interrupted by the criminal justice system and document their experiences within the system.
By reversing the pose of an intake mugshot, an effect achieved by cropping closely to the head and shoulders but turning the subject away from the camera, artist Zora J. Murff protects the privacy, dignity, and newfound freedom of his sitter at the moment he is released from his sentence. By granting the sitter anonymity, the meaning behind the portrait becomes even more profound and symbolic than purely documentary.
From 2015 to 2018, Murff studied at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, to earn his MFA under the guidance of Walker Pickering and Dana Fritz. He currently teaches at the University of Arkansas and actively exhibits internationally.
