Destiny Mata
I love a million different kinds of photography, but there are some kinds of photography that check more boxes for me than others. I love when photography holds the energy, emotions, and dynamism of the people or scene being described. I love photography that documents underground or underrepresented scenes - worlds that I might not know if I didn't have a photographer guiding me through them. I love photography made by insiders. I love photography that shows us places or people involved in creative resistance to the forces of conformity and homogenization. I love photography that celebrates new possibilities. Destiny Mata's work checks all these boxes and more, so needless to say, I love Destiny Mata's photography. I asked her to tell me about her journey in photography, and the years of work she packed into her big new book The Way We Were, which documents the alternative Punx of Color scene around all five boroughs of NYC:
“Coming from a family of photographers I’m deeply inspired by my grandfather Luis Mata who was a weekend wedding photographer and my aunt, fashion photographer Chayo Mata. May she rest in peace. Chayo’s passion and love for photography was contagious. Witnessing her vision, drive, and hustle influenced me and my work. I remember my freshmen year I took a photojournalism class at LaGuardia Community College where I learned about photographers like Mary Ellen Mark, Diane Arbus, Susan Meisalas, Arlene Gottfried, and the list goes on. Once I was introduced to documentary photography I was hooked. After taking the class I knew I wanted to focus on finding my voice. What better way than flipping the camera on myself and my life experiences.
“The camera has been a therapeutic and healing outlet for my creativity and values - used to voice societal resistance, preserve my cultural heritage, and rebut stereotypes. My work, which encompasses both photojournalism and documentary film, explores issues including the ongoing struggle for racial justice and economic hardship in low-income public housing where I grew up. The past eight years I’ve immersed myself in New York City’s underground Punx of Color music scene. Through this ongoing photo series, I’ve connected with a community of musicians, artists, and activists. When NYC went into lockdown due to the pandemic I had the time to dive in and look back at all the shows I attended. I always envisioned making a zine. The opportunity to make a photo book with publisher Debra Scherer, founder of The Culture Crush came to fruition creating a massive 380+ page book called The Way We Were. The process of editing six years of shows was difficult. I had never edited anything of this magnitude. It was truly a community effort with illustrations by Daisy Ruiz who made a comic strip about going to a show at La Jungla in the Bronx. It was important for me to interview and hear directly from the bands, to the organizers, collectives, and folks who attended the shows. You can learn more about The Way We Were here: https://www.theculturecrush.com/culture-crush-editions/the-way-we-were
“My mission is to make photos that share a powerful story and thought-provoking message with the world. I believe there is incredible power and strength when we collectively collaborate with one another to make change for a better future. “
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Photo at top of post: Self Portrait © Destiny Mata
↓ ↓ ↓ All Photos in this post © Destiny Mata / @destiny.mata ↓ ↓ ↓
In the mosh pit during a Punx of Color show at Silent Barn. Bushwick, Brooklyn © Destiny Mata
Portrait of Quinn at a Punx of Color show. Silent Barn, Bushwick, Brooklyn © Destiny Mata
ABISM performs at Forsyth Plaza. Chinatown, New York © Destiny Mata
Portrait made at Bronx Art Expo benefit show organized by Bronx Collective Hydr0punk. Brooklyn, New York © Destiny Mata
Mosh pit bondfire during Dead City Punx show at East River Park Bandshell. Lower East Side, New York © Destiny Mata
Portrait of Weasel at a Punx of Color show. Silent Barn, Bushwick, Brooklyn © Destiny Mata