MS SR10

Recognizes cinematographer and studio innovator Arthur Jafa as the recipient of the 2021 Governor's Arts Award for Excellence in Media Arts

Born in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1960 and raised in Clarksdale, Jafa studied architecture and film at Howard University before building a career spanning feature films, documentaries, music videos, and video art

Won Best Cinematography at the 1991 Sundance Film Festival for "Daughters of the Dust" and served as cinematographer on Spike Lee's "Crooklyn"

His video essay "The White Album" won the Golden Lion at the 2019 Venice Biennale, and his work is in collections at major museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Co-founded the movie studio "SunHaus" and has directed, produced, or photographed music videos for Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Solange Knowles