We’re excited to share an invitation to experience On Orchard, a compelling new body of work by New Zealand-born, New York-based photographer SAM CRAWFORD, now on view at TITLE OF WORK in Manhattan’s Lower East Side until Sept 30, 2025.
Shot during the months when New York City was cautiously stepping out of the pandemic’s stillness, On Orchard captures a raw and intimate reawakening. With his camera trained on the people and energy on the streets around his studio, Sam found the beauty, strength, and vulnerability in the faces of those reclaiming the streets – his quiet portraits of community, resilience, and presence.
Having lived in NYC for many years now, Sam brings a deep sensitivity to this work and these portraits are truly representative of this : it’s not just documentary, it’s personal. The imagery reflects the soul of the city, not as a spectacle but as a shared space of return – of being seen again, and seeing one another.
Shot from his studio on Orchard Street – which itself has it’s own history in the neighbourhood – as the city resumed it’s normal pace after lockdown, these portraits capture the quiet resilience, spirit, and humanity of a community returning to itself.
Artist statement:
This project took shape during the months when life began to reemerge from the stillness of the pandemic in New York City. The streets of the Lower East Side, especially around my studio on Orchard Street, became a stage for creativity and self-expression. The neighborhood’s energy felt raw, unfiltered, and profoundly alive, a fleeting cultural moment I felt compelled to document before the ongoing shifts of gentrification softened its edges.
Inspiration was everywhere. Often, I would spot someone compelling, strike up a conversation, and drag them up to my studio with the promise of only taking ten minutes of their time. Most said yes. It helped that I could point to my studio from the street. The building itself, a historic part of the neighborhood, intrigued people as much as the invitation. These spontaneous encounters became moments of genuine connection and creative collaboration.
This series is a tribute to the people and soul of the Lower East Side, its artists, dreamers, and everyday characters who bring its streets to life. Each portrait captures a piece of this dynamic community. My hope is that these images convey the raw beauty and vitality of this unique time and place, inviting viewers to see it as a fleeting moment in an ever changing city.
Sam Crawford
If you’re in New York, this is a must-see exhibition. Don’t miss the powerful and personal snapshot of post-pandemic life on show until the end of September at:
TITLE OF WORK
57 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
11am–6pm Mon-Fri.
