Sammy Rivera, Chapter Black

My latest project, Chapter Black, was born as a product of poor decisions and unfortunate circumstances. These circumstances led to me losing almost everything I had, forcing me to have to start my life's work from scratch. Consequently, I used the entirety of what little savings I had to get a new camera to work with, and from there I began shooting what would eventually become Chapter Black. This project is a direct reaction to all that I experienced during this period of my life. It also serves as a narrative on the harsh realities of the world, the emotional changes I underwent and the disconnection I felt from other people, and how that translated into my work. 

Chapter Black takes the form of three handbound photobooks each with accompanying metal boxes, all made completely from scratch; much like the reconstruction of my career. The handmade concepts of the project came as I began experimenting with incorporating other mediums into my work; a result of my desire to grow as an artist and create physical art pieces beyond the digital darkroom. Chapter Black - through both its content and the process of its construction - in essence tells a tale of perseverance and explores the themes of morality, disillusion, and introspection. Utilizing both abstract imagery and depictions of the grittier side of Philadelphia, Chapter Black is all color work and contains no images of people; a stark contrast to the traditional street photography I had built my career on in the past.

Sammy Rivera is a Puerto Rican artist based in Philadelphia, PA. With street photography as his primary focus, Sammy incorporates other mediums into his craft such as bookbinding, sewing, ink transfers, and painting. An award-winning photographer, his work has been published in multiple issues of Palette magazine, issue 24 of Contemporary Art Review Los Angeles (Carla), and issue 1 of Habitual Art Magazine. Sammy has exhibited his work in several group exhibitions throughout the tri-state area, including a duo exhibition in 2018 entitled “Euphemism” with fellow photographer Rob Loffredo, and a 2018 solo exhibition at the Arte Richmond gallery, each in Philadelphia. In January 2024, Sammy celebrated the release of his photobook, Chapter Black, with a solo exhibition at Unique Photo in Philadelphia. Sammy is a graduate of the Antonelli Institute of Art & Photography, where he has won numerous accolades for his work.