Paul Moakley is a documentary photographer and filmmaker raised on the South Shore of Staten Island, New York. He has worked professionally as a journalist and filmmaker for over two decades. His earlier work centered on long-term documentary projects focused on his family and a private school, exploring themes of subjectivity, identity, and the politics of one’s lived experience. Rooted in close observation, long durations, and accumulation, his practice reflects a sustained interest in how environments shape individual and collective narratives. In recent projects, Moakley has expanded this approach into public spaces, continuing to examine connection and community through collaborative and participatory processes.
A Map of the World is a collaborative portrait project inspired by a short stretch of beach on Staten Island’s South Shore and the community drawn to it. Beginning two years after the deep isolation of the pandemic and amid a tense political climate in the United States, the project emerged from a desire to reconnect—with people, place, and shared space.
Approaching strangers along the shoreline, I invited participants to help shape each portrait; in return, they received the final photographs. These spontaneous sessions transformed the beach into a creative meeting ground, where conversations unfolded with people from across the world.
By treating the location as both subject and stage, the beach became a living map—one that anyone could inhabit. The project pushes against the anonymity of urban life, questioning the necessity of public space and how we engage with it in New York and beyond.
Artist Bios
Organizations
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The Alice Austen House
The Alice Austen House occupies a singular position, both geographically and culturally—on the water’s edge of Staten Island’s North Shore. Once the home, studio, and muse of pioneering photographer Alice Austen, the house dates back to 1690 and is one of New York City’s historic homes. Yet it functions today not as a static historic site, but as a dynamic contemporary arts hub.
The museum celebrates queer and women’s history while breathing new life into Austen’s legacy by engaging with current artistic, social, and personal exploration. For Austen, this home, now a public park, was a radical retreat and safe haven for her and her largely queer circle of friends. That spirit of refuge and experimentation continues today. We activate the house and grounds through our Queer Ecologies Garden, deep community partnerships, and sustained support for artists, fostering the creation of new work that honors the past while speaking directly to the present.
The museum and public park have been a National LGBTQ+ landmark since 2017.
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NYC Parks
NYC Parks is the steward of more than 30,000 acres of land — 14 percent of New York City — including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 1,800 basketball courts, 550 tennis courts, 65 public pools, 51 recreational facilities, 15 nature centers, 14 golf courses, and 14 miles of beaches. We care for 1,200 monuments and 23 historic house museums. We look after 600,000 street trees, and two million more in parks. We are New York City’s principal providers of recreational and athletic facilities and programs. We are home to free concerts, world-class sports events, and cultural festivals.
A Map of the World
coming soon
Featuring: Paul Moakley
Curated by: Victoria Munro
Presented by: The Alice Austen House
Locations
ON VIEW AT: 86
View Location Details Alice Austen House2 Hylan Blvd
Staten Island, NY 10305
- Monday -
- Tuesday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- Thursday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- Friday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- Saturday -
- Sunday -
The views and opinions expressed in this exhibit are those of the exhibition artists and partners and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Photoville or any other participants and partners of the Photoville Festival.
