OPEN CALL WINNER UPDATE // Zach Hyman Reveals All

Photo Credit: Lindsay Atwood

Photographer Zach Hyman is one of those rare visionaries. Equally bold and humble, Hyman imbues his work on both sides of the camera with a performative streak that tends to get him noticed—by the press, the police, and by us.

Last year, he and Carrie Shaltz won 3rd Ward’s Open Call with their portfolio Glitterous; a dream-fantastic documentation of their first collaborative road trip out west. The two used the reward to fund another art-making adventure resulting in a body of work called Preyground (catch up with the rule-defying madness here), displayed in our recent gallery show.

Best known for his controversial photos of nude models posing in very public locations (Times Square, Chinatown, the L train) which were documented in his 2009 solo exhibition Decent Exposures. Hyman was recently honored to have his work included in an extremely child-friendly event: the May 17 Free Arts NYC twelfth annual art auction benefit at Chelsea Art Museum. Proceeds from the sale of his piece—titled “Resurrection” and depicting a nude man jumping in front of Central Park's band shell in the distance--support the organization’s educational arts and mentoring programs for under-served children and families.

The enormity of having his work displayed alongside world-class talents like Spencer Tunick and Ed Ruscha isn't lost on Hyman.  “Your work is more likely to get noticed shown along with great artists than in a tiny gallery with just your own work. Group shows attract lots of collectors and people who love and support art. It’s also really interesting to be a part of these events that a few years ago I would have been shooting,” he says, referring to his former gig as a photographer for the Patrick McMullan agency.

How did he go from shooting events to being a catalyst for them? Pure visualization: “I imagine myself in situations that will bring me to where I want to be. Knowing where you want to be and believing that you’ll get there without fail is the most important thing.”

It also helped to be clear about what he didn't want.

“I dropped out of acting school because I couldn’t stand people telling me what to do, how to dress, how to cut my hair, not to get tattoos.” With that mentality in tow, he relocated to NYC, took a job as a bartender and spent his 5AM return trips home daydreaming about an open space with his work on the walls, surrounded by friends and family.

Where will this approach—which seems as efficient as waving a magic wand—take him next? Mexico City, followed by other international destinations: “I’d love to travel three months of the year—go live somewhere, shoot, come back here and show the work and make some money for the next year.

Take note of our address, Zach, and send postcards. Can’t wait to see what else you’ve been dreaming up. 

 -- Cara Cannella