Nolan W. McCants’ photography is centered around foreign cultures. They are portrayed through images of landscapes and the day-to-day activities of the locals.
McCants’ photographs in countries including Nigeria and Jamaica. His main focus is the clear presentation of those cultures and the empathetic portrayals of his subjects.
His experiences as a Chicago youth sparked his love for photography. From there, he attempts to combine his love for the possibilities of the medium with his experiences in public relations. His work is marked by his obsession with both the candid and the spectacular.
Another variable that is present throughout the photography is improvisation. Surrounded by music as a youth, he was fascinated by the work of his late father and jazz drummer, Walter “Butch” McCants. The kind of musical improvisation that he and a fair number of the jazz greats utilized in their music made an impression on him.
His work is well-renowned in the Chicagoland area. Along with hosting multiple exhibits in Northern Illinois, McCants is the recipient of several regional awards. Such awards include “best of (the) best” by the DuPage Art League in 2016 and two Merit Awards by the Naperville Fine Arts Center in 2015.
In addition to Northern Illinois, his work has also been presented in Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
According to McCants, “artistic expression is an extraordinary gift that I consider a privilege and a blessing.”
He appreciates being able to capture expression and portray the world around him. This creates multiple artistic and social opportunities for him and his subjects. He hopes that his work will be a window for his audience into exotic cultures and their beauty, their people, and their daily activities.
