Orchard Beach: The Bronx Riviera

Revisiting his landmark project at Orchard Beach a decade later, Wayne Lawrence weaves an intergenerational narrative that reflects the diversity, dignity, and pride of New York City's Bronx community.

New York’s Bronx is one of the most diverse communities in America.

In the 1960's, Orchard Beach became one of the city's first desegregated public spaces, bringing forth an intermixing of perspectives and communities that continue to shape and inform the soul of its community, many of whom are working class.

Orchard Beach brings people from various backgrounds together, allowing for the sharing of experiences, traditions, and culture, and serving as a place of pride and empowerment for the local Bronx community.

For the families who have call the Bronx home, Orchard Beach, the only beach in the borough, was and remains a treasured respite from the sweltering confines of the concrete jungle.

"I began shooting portraits of Orchard Beach’s summertime regulars in 2005 shortly after moving to New York, realizing that the stigma attached to this oasis was largely unjustified - I felt compelled to engage with this community of working class families and colorful characters, celebrating the pride and dignity of the beach’s visitors"

- Wayne Lawrence

"The six years I spent photographing Orchard Beach have not only given me the time and space to reflect on the importance of family and community, but also a sense of belonging and purpose."

- Wayne Lawrence

Immediately catching the viewer’s eye is the extravagant style of many of the photographs’ subjects – a quest for identity and sense of belonging. The individuals in Wayne's portraits carry themselves in respect to their own personal histories, which often reflect the complex history of the borough itself. Within the gaze of those portrayed we see a community that provides a glimpse into the pride of American values and diversity.

"After having experienced the most profound grief when my older brother was brutally murdered, photography has not only offered me an opportunity to give a voice to a community often misunderstood but also a means of healing from the loss experienced."

- Wayne Lawrence