We the Spirits | A conversation with photographer Jason Gardner

Join us for a conversation with American photographer Jason Gardner as he shares details from his new book and collection, We the Spirits, exploring his 15-year journey through 15 countries as he visually documented the ritual and festival of Carnival.

We the Spirits focused on documenting tradition, folklore, and community within the celebrations. Collaborating with ethnographers and local experts, Gardner chose subjects in smaller villages and remote towns to most accurately present the complexities of these local customs. We the Spirits have been featured in Photolucida’s Top 50 portfolio, GEO Magazine France, and The Guardian (UK).

About the Artist

Jason Gardner is an American photographer, based in Paris and New York. He tells stories, using photography and writing, within the framework of Visual Anthropology. He is passionate about culture, ritual, and music and how they impact human expression. 

In 2013, Jason published A Flower in the Mouth, a photobook about the culture, music and rituals of Carnaval in Pernambuco, Brazil (Visual Anthropology Press, USA). Now he continues with We the Spirits (GOST Books, UK, 2024). Jason’s work has been published in The New York Times, The Guardian, Financial Times, GEO France, This is Colossal, L’Oeil de la Photographie, Sunday Times Magazine (UK), Rolling Stone, Le Parisien, New York Magazine, FotoMagazin (Germany), NPR.org, and SPIN Magazine.

About the Artist Conversation Series:  
RiverArts creates opportunities to amplify the artistic voice, bringing insight and delight to our community. We are proud to spotlight leading voices in art, music, poetry, dance, and theater. Under the direction of Marie Louise-Miller, our Artist Conversation series offers a chance to get up close and personal with artists. The Artist Conversation Series aims to shed light on the intricacies of creativity across all its artistic mediums from the fine artist to the performance artist.