JOHN RASH is a filmmaker, photographer, and visual artist based in Oxford, Mississippi. John earned his M.F.A. in Documentary and Experimental Art from Duke University and B.F.A. in Art Education from UNC-Greensboro, and now works as Assistant Professor of Film Production and Southern Studies at the University of Mississippi. His documentary films and photographs often focus on topics of identity, counter-culture communities, social justice, and environment and have been shown in festivals and museums around the world. John has received multiple awards for his documentary works including the Soul of Southern Film Award from Indie Memphis Film Festival for Negro Terror, History+ Best Documentary Award from the North Carolina Museum of History for Our Movement Starts Here, and an Emmy nomination for his film about South Carolina-based photographer Sam Wang. John is also the founder of the Southern Punk Archive which aims to preserve the stories of DIY punk communities in the American South. In 2025, John was an Artist in Residence at the Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai and a resident artist at Crosstown Arts in Memphis, TN in 2022.
Following curiosity to amplify untold stories.
My documentary films and photographs often focus on topics of identity, counter-culture communities, social justice, and environmental issues. Starting with curiosity and investigation my practice is ultimately only successful through collaboration with individuals and communities that have a story to tell. This process takes different modes and mediums depending on the story and can include film, video, photography, oral history, audio, and experiential installation. It is always important to build strong, long-lasting relationships with the communities involved and to ensure they have agency and transparency in the work and resulting outcomes. This is an ethical commitment I honor with each new project through continued dialogue and engagement with participants through all stages of production, exhibition, and distribution. Each project is ultimately an act of public engagement with the intention of creating meaningful impact by raising awareness, sparking discussion and motivating action when applicable.
This site contains works that reflect what I believe and aims to raise awareness and launch conversations. Your communication is welcome.