Jersey City's Most Earnest Photographer, Amghy Chacon

Amghy Chacón (pictured right) is best described by a story she shared with me from her youth. I sat with her at the Warehouse while she recounted the time she, in all earnest, decided to teach her school's bully a lesson. The Bully had been harassing a good friend of Amghy's for quite some time, the adults wouldn't help, and Amghy would not be a bystander. So, she confronted the bully; she scared her so straight that the administrators at her school had to be brought in for Amghy to explain that she only did it to protect others. Tonight, at Sure Things, I kept thinking of that story. I observed Amghy overflowing with joy not at the sight of her photography, but instead the sight of the people she cares for gathered around her. I observed a creator driven by the happiness of others and animated by her ability to affect them positively. The little girl who stood up for her friend finding new ways to create a safe space for joy using her talents. She is an earnest empath who's connection to emotion beams through every photo presented in her "Expanses".

"Expanses", an ode to Amghy's late father, is full of photos they make you feel both small and mighty simultaneously. Captured on risky expired film, the images are eerie yet nostalgic and comforting. As I crept through the packed and lively room, I was enthralled by the hollow and seemingly endless spaces she had photographed. "Expanses" what did she mean by that? What does it mean to her? What does it mean to me? I stared into canyons and grassy plains pondering. Wondering. Connecting. Then, finally, understanding myself a little more. I am an expanse, so are you, we all are. Like the spaces pictured, we are seemingly endless and hollow. Ready to be grown upon, filled, broken down, and rebuilt. After realizing this, I walked over to the cheese board and picked up a chocolate covered pretzel. I felt I deserved it.

Unfortunately for me, Amghy's art show has been a success and someone purchased (robbed me of) the image that Ranger wanted to buy me. Good for them. Amghy's remaining pieces are still available at Sure Things in the Jersey City Heights.

Follow Amghy here https://www.instagram.com/anjiisan?igsh=OHRnajQ1OXJuM3V3

Learn more about Sure Things https://www.sure-things.com