Chicago Lights

The concept of Chicago Lights was born in 2015 when acclaimed British photographer Abigail Zoe Martin’s relocated to Chicago from London for her husband’s job. Driven by a sense of isolation from family and friends, she went in search of connections to Chicagoans from all walks of life. Thus, was born the audio and visual exhibition, now a book for you to share in Martin’s journey.

“The book is a raw and unfiltered conversation with Chicagoans and illuminates the incredible kindness I found,” says Martin. “Feeling profoundly displaced, I turned to photography as a means to explore my new city, meeting — often by chance — an eclectic and diverse range of people with a wonderful inner light and a common thread of integrity, compassion, and empathy.”

The subjects are a wide-ranging group of characters who contribute to the immense diversity and originality of Chicago’s landscape. Among those photographed are Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, former Chicago Bears player Israel Idonije, rising singer Kiara Lanier, priest and social activist Father Michael Pfleger, Lieutenant Governor-elect Juliana Stratton, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology Dr. Lauren Streicher and famed art brothers ShanZuo ZhouShi and DaHuang ZhouShi.

Each person chose their photo setting and style and then nominated the next subject to be photographed. The portraits are accompanied by written text provided by each subject, along with an audio excerpt, which you can experience by using the barcodes throughout the book. The audio excerpts are taken from the recorded, intimate conversations, that Martin had with each subject.

Chicago Lights reminds us that art has the power to help us better understand one another and build positive, long-lasting relations that contribute to a kinder world. 

Book Details:

• 9" x 11" Premium hardcover book with full-color dust jacket
• 230 pages, and 79 exceptional portraits of 81 unique Chicagoans
• Includes interactive codes allowing you to immediately hear audio
• Full color on premium quality paper