In one image, a man pastes a clear blue sky over a wall once covered in window-like wallpaper. In another, two figures appear as silhouettes behind a bedsheet, gently lit by the soft rays of springtime sun. Nearby, two women stand proudly beside their bicycles, posing in front of a white picket fence — an unmistakable symbol of suburban affluence in America.
This marks Mitchell’s first solo exhibition in Switzerland, and with it, he brings a vivid collection of portraits infused with the aesthetics of fashion photography and his signature themes: self-determination and the sublime in everyday life.
“I want to show what a Black utopia looks like — or could look like,” Mitchell explained to the Gagosian Gallery. “They say utopia can’t be reached, but photography lets me dream, and lets that dream feel as real as possible.” It’s a vision he continues to shape and refine through each new body of work.
Convincing through pure beauty
Mitchell shot to fame in 2018 when he photographed Beyoncé for the cover of American Vogue’s September issue — a groundbreaking moment as he became the first Black photographer to shoot the cover in the magazine’s 126-year history.
Since then, he has been crafting carefully staged scenes that reflect the resilience of the Black community, often set against dreamlike backdrops that echo his yearning for utopia. His work bridges time — rooting itself in the struggles of the past while reaching toward a hopeful, forward-looking future.
Whether capturing lush natural landscapes in Georgia or upstate New York, or experimenting with video to reflect on sociopolitical issues in the U.S., Mitchell’s work is united by its commitment to beauty. His images radiate with light that caresses the contours of bodies and enhances the richness of skin, making the ordinary feel transcendent.
His use of clothing and accessories is never ornamental — instead, they evoke a modern-day royalty, a deliberate effort to assert that the promise of the American dream isn’t reserved for white America. His subjects, too, can be revered, sanctified, and seen in all their brilliance.
The theme of community is woven deeply into the exhibition. In the series Altars/Acres, Mitchell brings in fellow artists, photographers, and sculptors whose works resonate with his own, creating a collective dialogue. At a time when nationalism is on the rise, it’s a poignant tribute to the unifying power of shared creativity and cultural strength.
“Wish This Was Real” is on view through August 17, 2025, at Photo Élysée in Lausanne.
