“New York Said” is a storytelling project created by Amon Focus. It is dedicated to uncovering, documenting, and preserving the often-overlooked “writing on the wall” across New York City’s five boroughs and beyond. Over the past decade, Amon has captured over 5,000 powerful images of graffiti, street art, and public statements, showcasing the city’s dynamic spirit.
In addition to his photography, Amon has conducted over 300 one-on-one interviews with native and notable New Yorkers, expanding the project into a rich oral history of the city. His interviewees include American cartoonist Bob Mankoff, Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic Jerry Saltz, graffiti pioneer ‘TAKI 183,’ globally respected peacemaker Erica Ford, renowned photographer Jay Maisel, street photography legend Jamel Shabazz, and Charlie Ahearn, director of the iconic hip-hop film “Wild Style.”
Over the years, Amon has amplified the voices of authors, filmmakers, musicians, artists, frontline workers, and blue-collar individuals, using his platform to bring their stories to light. He’s also conducted numerous human interest pieces that spotlight small businesses, highlighting their essential role in the culture of New York City.
Amon offers a rich and immersive portrait of the city through this vast collection of interviews, stories, and images, capturing its core through words, art, and stories that are often hyper-expressive and hidden in plain sight.
