Introducing Moiré Flux

 Marquita Anthony, aka Moire Flux is an amazingly talented photographer who has a keen eye for capturing and amplifying quiet moments.

Why the name Moiré Flux? What does it mean?

Using the name Moiré Flux is my way of expressing myself in terms of my art work. Moiré Flux is who I am as an artist. I introduced Moiré Flux to the world last year, as the part of me that was dying to be free.

Becoming Moiré Flux has been a process (hence the Flux). It started as a sudden awakening, from an uncomfortable stifling, but the process felt very organic to me. Becoming in touch with this part of myself required that I become more comfortable in my own skin and worry less about filling others’ expectations of myself. Moiré Flux is free-spirited, open-minded, and accepting.

She never stops learning, growing, or changing the perspective from which she sees and examines the world. Moiré is the the woman that I am getting to know and am loving more and more everyday.

Moiré is a photographic term used to describe a wave-like patterned effect that results when there is more detail in the subject than a camera can capture. I felt like this is me. I have realized that there is so much more to me than I knew, and that is recognizable by others. I feel there is more detail to Moiré than can be captured; whether it would be through the lens of a camera, or through the eyes of an observer.

Flux is a continuous change, passage, or movement. A friend suggested Flux. He said “A pretty picture in the midst of change. A beautiful image that is in the settling process or formation process creation.” And Moiré Flux was born.

Describe your photography in your own words.

I would say, to me, its natural. I don't do heavy editing or image manipulation. I prefer to capture a subject's beauty and interest in their own right. There's a touch a documentary-style edge to it. When I shoot portraiture, it depends on if I am going with a more classic vibe or contemporary. If I'm feeling that someones essence has a vibrant contemporary spirit, it is bright and colorful. Yet sometimes my photography style is classic with a timeless quality to it.

Tell me a bit about your background: Where are you from? What was it like growing there?

I am from Charlotte, NC. Born and raised. I moved away for college, and was glad to return. I enjoyed growing up here, so I love it as my home. My upbringing was surrounded...
by a huge network of family and friends. Love and stability was abundant throughout my childhood in Charlotte, and so that's what it represents most to me, and I find great comfort in that. I grew up in West Charlotte, a predominately African-American side of town that is rich with history- Beatties Ford Road. Growing up in this area, I was always surrounded by African-American people, influences, and culture.

Do you think your background has influenced your work? How?

Yes, greatly. Growing up in what some might call "the hood" *laughs*, has given me a particular interest in documenting it's charm. West Charlotte is not the "nicest" or "cleanest" part of town, but it is overflowing with African-American influence and history. I find myself seeking out the raw gritty-ness that I feel is home to me. When I go places and I set out with my camera, I find myself saying "no, that's too new," or "that's too pretty" or "too clean" and I am personally uninterested.

In my personal expressions, I am intrinsically drawn to things and people that are aesthetically imperfect. To me, there is more of a story to be told, more experiences. Through experiences come learning and ultimately wisdom, which is beautiful. Things that some might call "flawed", remind me of "home". And I feel a comfort and appreciation there. Through my art I attempt to share this allure with others and convince them of what they may have overlooked as being delightful and worthy.

What are the main themes and ideas behind your work?

History. People. Urban. Imperfections. Life. African Americans. Energy. Children. Love. Black and white photographs. Documentary. Pride.

Do you seek to convey a particular message with each piece? Is this a part of your creative process?

Yes. I attempt to use each photograph or set of photographs either tell a story or to spark thought. Sometimes the message that I want to convey in a shot may be about that one particular person, or it may be about a group of people or about people in general, and I am using the subject to express the message.

My creative process sometimes begins with an idea within myself, and I seek out a subject to channel it or I see a subject who expresses that an idea and I become that channel to express it. When I feel like I am stuck in a creative rut, my creative process begins with a personal challenge to step outside the box and I press myself in that area of weakness. My creative process often begins with an art form other than photography. Sometimes its a painting or an illustration.

Capturing my subjects spirit is the core of my creative process. 

Once I get a sense of their spirit, my mind begins to function in the artisic realm and what I would like share about this subject. It can sometimes be a challenge when you don't know the subject very well and you have to quickly get a sense of who they are. So sometime you have to even get creative in that. I did a photoshoot of an artist who is a singer/rapper. I'd never met her in person, and wouldn't until photoshoot time. So in the few days before, I began listening to her music each morning. By the time she walked through my door, I felt like I knew her well enough to capture her spirit and energy just by listening to her soul that she throws into her music.

I love, love, love the pictures of Mr Deese on your blog. Tell us: who is Mr Deese? What made you decide to photograph him?

Mr Deese by Moire Flux

Mr. Deese is a gentleman that I knew had to live somewhere around my neighborhood, because I would often see him driving down the street and I would see his car parked at various places around the area. His car is very distinguishable. I was out admiring my neighborhood with my camera in tow, when I saw him parked at the corner store. I was very eager to take his photograph. I walked over and introduced myself and began chatting with him. "Deese", as everyone in the area calls him, was born in Florence, SC.

He moved to Charlotte when he was in his early 20's to work. He did factory work for a while, but for the last 30 years, he's been a painter. He does paint work for people around the neighborhood through word- of- mouth. He's had his car for 16 years. He has a quiet and easy-going demeanor, a tad shy. I was very appreciative that he trusted me to take his photograph and was open to the experience. I look for personal, as well as artistic growth in all of my photographic experiences. This yielded both.

Any favorite photographers and/or artists? How have they influenced you?

There is a photograph by Gordon Parks that influenced my interest in documentary photography. It's called "Children with Doll". I couldn't stop staring at it the first time that I saw it. It really sparked my interest in documentary photography. More than an artist in particular, there are compilations of work that have really inspired me and help shaped my photographic interests and appreciations.

I am always more inspired by print than electronic media, so books are what I owe my cultivation into the photographer I am to. There are a few books that have really influenced me in my work and always inspire me. "Committed to the image : contemporary black photographers " edited by Barbara Head Millstein; "Reflections in Black : a history of Black photographers, 1840 to the present" by Deborah Willis; and "Special moments in African-American history, 1955-1996 : the photographs of Moneta Sleet, Jr." compiled and edited by Doris E. Saunders.

What's your vision for where you'd like your work to be in 5, 10 and 20 years?

My goals and vision for 5, 10, and 20 years is simply that there is notable artistic growth. I am currently working on a photo documentary that I would love to have published, so maybe that's the 5 year marker. I do dream of capturing one of those historical landmark photographs. I want my work to be reflective of my creative growth in portraiture and capturing the essence of my subjects. Progression, progression, progression.

Where can we see more of your photography?
 My photography can be found at www.peaceloveandphotographybymoire.blogspot.com; www.moireflux.wordpress.com; and www.photographybymoireflux.com.

Parting Words/Thoughts?
Just to thank everyone who has given me love, support, and encouragement.

*All pictures in this post are courtesy Moire Flux