Meet Sidra Greene | Photographer & Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sidra Greene and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sidra, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I believe that taking risks are imperative to growth and evolution as an artist. Risks force us to get out of our own heads, out of our own way, and closer to achieving the dreams we have set for ourselves. As a Black Queer Artist, my mere existence is a daily risk. The most recent risk I’ve taken is packing up everything and moving cross country from NYC to San Francisco. In a pandemic! With the help of a few friends, and rental van, we drove the 3,355 miles across the country in 7 days. It was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences I’ve ever had, and it wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t say “yes” take a risk.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a photographer and visual artist. My work centers on whimsy, nuance, relationships, joy, and The ever-evolving nature of identity. I always ask myself, “Who am I looking at? What part of their story are they telling?” I aim to preserve the genuineness and integrity of my subjects and to further their power of self-representation. My joy in photography As a black, queer artist is creating, as honestly as possible, the visual evidence that we are human and our narratives matter.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I recently moved to San Francisco, so I still feel like a tourist myself! Some of my favorite places so far have been: Stable Cafe, Foreign Cinema and Monk’s Kettle for food and coffee in the Mission District. For art and hanging out, the SFMOMA and the DeYoung Museum. For beautiful scenery Ocean Beach, Mission Dolores Park and Golden Gate Park. I’m excited to continue to explore the city and find more favorites!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be the person or artist I am today without the help and support of my close friends and family. When I moved to NYC for college, I was in search of community. I found my community in the NYC queer nightlife and music scene. Over the years I have cultivated a diverse network of amazing, loving, creative compassionate and driven QTPOC that challenge and inspire me daily. For that I am very grateful. I often use my friends and family as subjects in my work and they serve as constant inspiration, always patient with whatever random, silly or strange idea I have. Recently I have received guidance around my work through mentorship. Receiving the insight and advice of people who are more established in their careers and the industry has helped me to understand more clearly the direction I want my career to go.

Website: sidragreene.com
Instagram: @sixid