ABOUT
Zion McKnight
PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEOGRAPHY
BASED IN NC
Zion's Perspective is the outward visual expression of the North Carolina-born, multifaceted, visual artist, Zion Sadique McKnight.
Zion is a very open-minded, out-of-the-box thinker that receives inspiration from all aspects of life and the beauty in all the small details that encapsulate it. Examples ranging from the nature of the earth, the abstract concepts of expression, and personal life experiences that have contributed to the overall makeup of Zion in his present being. As long as he's living he's inspired.
Zion believes that art is conceptualized uniquely by everyone. "The truth about art is the truth about the artist and their world and the observer and theirs. Through the unpredictability of the universe and serendipity of life's events, Zion has found a passion in his love for creativity through the glass lens of a camera. Capturing a moment in time how he envisions it has proven to be a thing of beauty that he is forever grateful to have the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow from/ with, testing not only his abilities, but himself. Constantly pushing his limits as he expands further into the creative world where, along the journey, he continues to capture life with his lens, his eye, and from his very own unique perspective.
Receiving inspiration from life and the world around him, Zion aims to capture the beauty of life through portraiture and documentary with a focus on Blackness and the array of Black identities. Most of Zion's work depicts Black people in glorious and ethereal representations, showing an alluring softness.
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He believes success is found in living purposefully, being authentic, and being present. When in alignment with one's purpose one simply can not go wrong or go left unless left is in the right direction. Zion ultimately aspires to become a Cinematographer showcasing his perspective in a motion picture medium. His message actively engaging and carrying viewers through the stories he's telling allows them to relate to and interpret his art to new imaginative heights.
Publications
Canvas Rebel Interview: Meet Zion McKnight:
Bold Journey Interview: Meet Zion McKnight:
- Zion's perspective on Imposter Syndrome
Life & Work with Chas Chapman / VoyageRaleighhttps://voyageraleigh.com/interview/life-work-with-chas-chapman-of-aberdeen-nc/
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Voyage Raleigh Interview about Chas Chapman with photos provided by Zion.
This article discusses the life of Chas Chapman, a very inspiring individual in the town of Aberdeen, and store owner of Create, a private hair studio where he's also curated space for his vintage collections of mid-century modern, art, vintage clothing, vinyl records, and skateboarding. ​
EXHIBITIONS
Home is Where the Heart Is (Year 1) - July 23rd, 2022​
Zion's first solo art exhibition, "Home is Where the Heart is," was an immersive photography exhibition hosted in his hometown, Aberdeen, North Carolina at Create Studio, showcasing 12 of his favorite portraits and displaying a mass array of photos from Southern Pines' Skate culture, ethereal/grunge/ and emotion provoking posed portraits, sharp foreign cars from car shows, and lively in-action artist performing on stage, all dating back to when Zion first began taking photos in 2016 up until the exhibition, half in color and half in black white. Each photo as well as every detail encompassing the feeling of Home including Zion's personal relationships to the subjects in the portraits, the location being in his favorite hometown store, and the performing artist all being friends of his.
Musical sounds of Alternative r&b, Hip-Hop, House, Soul, Funk, and Genre-less masterpieces accompanied by performances from rapper and songwriter Matt.Koy, producer and sound engineer SupaDupa, and singer/songwriter Nia J, facilitated a welcoming and dance provoking atmosphere in the midst of admiring Zion's work.
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