Legendary visual artist Jamel Shabazz, a retired New York City correction officer, has opened his first solo exhibition on Long Island at the Emily Lowe Gallery inside Hofstra University's Museum of Art in Hempstead. Titled "Love is the Message," the show features photographs spanning over five decades, capturing love and humanity in overlooked urban communities. Shabazz's work is also held in major institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum, and the Smithsonian.
The exhibition matters because it brings a celebrated artist back to his hometown for a milestone solo show, offering the local community—especially children and families in Uniondale and Hempstead—a chance to see themselves represented in a museum setting. Museum director Sasha Giordano and art teacher Erik Sumner emphasize the importance of accessibility and empathy, with the show open to the public until December 16.