Sun God
By DownsandTowns

THE IMAGE
"Sun God" by Downs & Towns - Houston Vandergriff

An organization with the State of Tennessee is making a short documentary about Houston's journey with his photography. Houston met the film crew at the Centennial Park in Nashville and they followed him around as he snapped photos in every direction. The Parthenon sits in the middle of this park in the downtown area. It is a full-scale replica of the Parthenon built in Athens, Greece.

Once the crew left, Houston continued to take photos in and around the Parthenon. It was getting late in the day and the crowds had thinned. On this side of the building, there was a lone person. Lounging on the steps and soaking in the last rays of the day. Dwarfed by the columns, yet shining in the sun.

The question raised by this photograph: when and where was this moment in time? Was it a chilly spring day in 2023 AD? Or, could it have been 2023 BC? Or any time in between? The man basking in the sun, surrounded by massive columns: is he an up and coming Nashville musician? A Roman emperor? An ancient Egyptian slave? A Greek God?

Ancient architecture, seasonal elements, and humanity combined together, forming an ageless transcendence of time and place. Captured by a photographer that many write off as disabled.

THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Advocate. Artist. Traveler. Dreamer.

Houston Vandergriff is a globe-trotting travel photographer based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Houston has a simple vision with his photography: Make the world a better place.

He has traveled to all 95 counties in his home state, to 49 of the 50 United States, to 5 Canadian provinces, and to 26 countries. Houston has Down syndrome and inspires others, both inside and outside of the disability community. He is a strong self-advocate who uses the universal language of the arts to push for inclusion. He is a social media influencer - using Tiktok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to share his story. His clients include Amazon, Tiktok for Good, Nikon, and multiple brands of photography-related equipment.

Houston has appeared in live events, podcasts, and broadcasts on four continents. He has been called “The Champion of Life” by one of the broadcasters from India. By sharing his gift of photography he is also sharing the gift of hope. Houston earned his Certificate of Photography in 2019 and his Advanced Photography Certificate in 2020 after completing more than 200 hours of study through the University of Tennessee Professional Programs. He is a member of the Southern Appalachia Nature Photographers (SANP) and the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).

His photography journey has been shared in Newsweek, It’s Gone Viral, Aljazeera, Transcontinental Times, Spectrum News, and MSN. He and his mom were featured speakers at the 2021 World Down Syndrome Conference in Dubai. His award-winning photography has been displayed in solo and group curated shows, online galleries, and the Inspiration Gallery in Perth, Scotland, He was awarded the 2020 International Photographer in “My Perspective” photo competition in the UK.

THE LICENSE

Extended Editorial: Can be used to display privately, or in commercial and non-commercial settings, or in groups with an unlimited number of participants. The license includes unlimited use and display in virtual or physical galleries, documentaries, and essays by the NFT holder. Provides no rights to create commercial merchandise, commercial distribution, or derivative works.