Mel D. Cole
Black Ball, 2020
Archival digital print
12 x 18"

Mel D. Cole recently exhibited in the InLiquid Gallery as part of The Source of Self Regard, curated by Tayyib Smith.

Artist Statement
My photography is about truth, connection, and presence. For more than two decades, I have turned my lens toward moments that reveal something essential about people, culture, and history. Whether I'm standing in the pit at a hip hop show, photographing fans at a soccer match, or documenting the energy of a political rally or protest, my goal is always to make images that are honest and human.

I see photography as both a personal practice and a shared responsibility. Images have the power to document, to celebrate, and to preserve. They can show resilience in the face of struggle, intimacy in fleeting encounters, and joy that rises up in unexpected places. I am drawn to moments that others might pass by, believing that small gestures often reveal the most about who we are.

The work in this exhibition reflects that perspective. These photographs are more than records of events; they are reflections of the relationships and trust built in the process of making them. I aim to create images that invite viewers to pause, to look deeper, and to feel something real, whether it is joy, grief, pride, or solidarity.

Ultimately, my intention is not to dictate meaning but to spark curiosity, conversation, and recognition. I want my photographs to live beyond the moment they were made, carrying with them the energy of the people and places they represent. To me, that is the enduring power of photography: to tell the truth, to witness, to connect, and to remember.

Artist Bio

Mel D. Cole is a globally recognized, self-taught photographer celebrated for his powerful and evocative visual storytelling. Raised in Syracuse, NY, Mel has over two decades of experience, capturing iconic moments across a wide range of genres, including photojournalism with historical events, such as the George Floyd protests and the January 6th Capitol attack, music having captured arist such as Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, The Roots and Drake, as well as lifestyle, travel, sports, and documentary photography. Mel has collaborated with major brands and organizations, including the World Bank, Pepsi, and Chelsea F.C.

Currently based in New York City, Mel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies from Stony Brook University with a concentration in Cinema and Cultural Studies and African American History.

meldcole.com