Rulx Thork’s Vibrant Capture of Brooklyn’s Urban Essence

This narrative is sourced from the Winter/Spring 2025 edition of Another Man, available for purchase worldwide now. Order here:

“I was raised in a household where artistic endeavors were genuinely valued. By the time I entered my adolescent years, my thoughts began to broaden, and my creativity was becoming increasingly stimulated. I yearned to uncover a method to articulate myself. I began consuming numerous books at an early age, aspiring to be a writer, thus I started crafting short stories. Simultaneously, I took up piano lessons and yearned to create my own music, yet I desired a more dynamic outlet.

“My mother gathered fashion magazines that were constantly around the house. These piqued my interest in photography, along with works by Diane Arbus and August Sander that I stumbled upon in a library. However, it was a publication focused on bicycle culture by Karlheinz Weinberger, released by Scalo, that fueled my aspiration to become a photographer.

“My camera afforded me the chance to introduce myself to individuals and clarify my intentions. While it facilitated opportunities for me, the camera alone was insufficient. It required a genuine intent allied with sincerity. People seek reassurance that there is a real investment in their narratives.

“Cocaine True Cocaine Blue by the photographer Eugene Richards profoundly inspired me. This book outlines a stark reality of drug dependency in two housing projects located in Brooklyn, which is rather alarming. Nan Goldin’s imagery of marginalized persons also left a mark on me.

“Although [my camera] provided opportunities for me, the camera alone was insufficient. It was a blend of possessing a legitimate purpose and being authentic. Individuals wish to realize there is a true interest in their lived experiences” – Rulx Thork

“I Give You Power is a collection of images depicting city street culture captured in the borough of Brooklyn, commencing in 2005, with the primary emphasis on the theme of maturation. This endeavor was motivated by a fortuitous meeting with a well-known 17-year-old gang affiliate named Jamal, who permitted me to take pictures of him and his companions during the summer of 2005.

“The name of the project, I Give You Power, is a clever twist on the title of a rap track from the 90s by Nas, I Gave You Power. This song presents an allegorical tale of urban street existence narrated from the viewpoint of a firearm. The intense rhythm of the track, the coarse language throughout the verses, and the visuals illustrated in the original clip might imply a glorification of brutality, yet the reality is that it serves as a condemnation of violence.

“I firmly believe that art has the power to inspire and inform, leading to transformation. I intend to pursue additional projects that spotlight urban neighborhoods and the challenges they face. My aspiration is to bring these topics to light in my work and convey the idea that a positive change is essential.

“I will always have a keen interest in individuals within urban settings. I consider their narratives to be significant. Their narratives represent the American experience. And someone must articulate them. That is my aim” – Rulx Thork

“America is a remarkably diverse nation culturally. It is becoming even more assorted as time progresses. In the context of cultural variety, the narrative of every group holds significance, and my creations embody that.

“Numerous tales are waiting to be shared. The world is evolving. The areas I capture are being dramatically transformed through gentrification. The Brooklyn I documented at the beginning of this endeavor contrasts greatly with the Brooklyn I observe now.

“My focus will always remain on individuals in urban landscapes. I believe their narratives carry weight. Their experiences form the American narrative. And someone must convey them. That is my ambition.”

I Give You Power by Rulx Thork is published by Little Big Man, and is available now.