Jesse Warner
Photography.
Framing the City Through a Different Lens.
In a city that’s always in motion, moments of pause are rare , and that’s exactly where photographer Jesse Warner thrives. Known for capturing the humor, joy, and intimacy of people eating food, Warner transforms everyday bites into compelling stories. His work highlights the small, silly, and relatable moments; from a messy slice of pizza to a stolen fry, turning them into visual meditations on human connection and the pleasures of daily life.
SEEN recently collaborated with Warner on a site-specific public art project that brought these playful moments out of the frame and into the streets. Through large-format placements, his photographs became part of the city itself: walls, corners, and alleys usually reserved for advertising were transformed into open-air galleries where pedestrians could stumble upon moments of levity and shared experience. It wasn’t just an installation, it was a citywide celebration of food, laughter, and the small things that make life delicious.
Warner’s images, rich in observation and some of humor, appeared in places where viewers least expect to find them: a burger bite frozen mid-chew, a mouth full of pasta, or a chicken wing savored with unabashed joy. Placed within the daily rhythm of urban life, the photographs acted as playful pauses, invitations to slow down, smile, and celebrate the everyday rituals we all share.
The Street, Observed - Not Interrupted.
More than a visual showcase, the project became a shared experience. Passersby stopped to look, to linger, to photograph, and to reflect.
This collaboration exemplifies our belief that outdoor media can transcend commercial use and serve as a platform for meaningful artistic expression. By integrating Warner’s photographic vision into the urban landscape, we helped create a living exhibition that resonated with the people who inhabit the city every day, reminding us that New York’s most compelling stories are already written into its streets.
