With roots in both the U.S. and Jamaica, Sonte'nish's photography emphasizes divinity in the small moments of rural Jamaican life and its inherent resistance to the capitalistic and colonial demands on our lives and our attention. Each photograph invites the viewer to project themselves into that space and time and to orient our gaze to the earth and natural world.
All photographs were taken on 35mm film in St. Elizabeth, the eye of Hurricane Melissa. The photographs suggest that we look to rural life for ‘groundation’, where connection with the natural world remains intact and everyday divinity is experienced.
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Since the success of her award-winning short Cross My Heart, a Vimeo Staff Pick and streaming on SHOWTIME ANYTIME, Sonte’nish has garnered support for her feature scripts inclusive of fellowships with Sundance, Tribeca, and Film Independent. Sonte’nish is in late development of her Black List screenplay Stampede; a sci-fi/period film.
A graduate of NYU’s Graduate Film program where she is now an adjunct professor, Sonte’nish works across mediums. In the music video space, Sonte’nish has directed for Grammy-nominated artists such as Tank and the Bangasand Grammy-award-winning artists like Samara Joy.
With the support from Nikon and Black Women Photographers for her photography, Sonte’nish is also developing her debut audio-visual exhibition “Auntie”.
@sontenish
https://www.sontenishmyers.com
St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. 2025. 35mm.
St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. 2025. 35mm.
Ballards Valley, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. 2024. 35mm.