Stephen Sewell

& (How to catch a lobster), 2020. Excerpt of HD Video with Sound. (11:30 minutes)

DESCRIPTION

& (How to catch a lobster) is a film examining the lobster industry of Maine, USA. As one of the most lucrative organisms of the Atlantic Ocean, Homarus americanus (the American lobster) is crucial to the coastal communities of Maine and global seafood trade. Stephen Sewell connects personal narratives, systems analysis, and film-making experimentation. Through interviews with Maine lobstermen (some conducted over Zoom) and footage from the boats, the film tells the story of their experiences, community, and how their industry intersects with global and national policies and climates, including those of the Trump era. Here, the scenic is not without economic anxiety, with many interviews blunty communicating the lobstermen’s realities and viewpoints. This work-in-progress reflects the artist’s long-form case studies—which include other instructional titles—each tangling system and story.

BIO

Stephen Sewell is a Brooklyn-based artist, filmmaker and educator. He received his MFA from the University of Washington and is an alumnus of the Whitney Independent Study Program and Art & Law Program. His works have been exhibited nationally and internationally and he has lectured and participated on panel discussions at several institutions including, University of Hertfordshire, Queens Museum, Pacific Northwest College of Art and MoMA PS1 Print Shop.