Meet Edward Gia | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Edward Gia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Edward, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think risk has for sure played somewhat of an important role in my life and work. My work as an artist derives from my personal life by photographing my family and looking through our photo albums. To put not only myself but my family out there is a huge risk within itself because of how would the work be interpreted to others when viewing it. Despite those worrying thoughts constantly wandering around, I continue to do and feel what’s right when it comes to my work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My body of work revolves around the intimacy of the home, my relationship with my family, religion, and my own sexuality through the use of portraiture and the domestic interior. After spending time with our family photo album, this made me realize the importance of these relationships, although we live in different countries. This special experience influenced the way that I photographed my own family. Throughout this project, it is important for me to be sure that my feelings played an active role in my photographs. It’s as if there are missing pieces of a puzzle that I am trying to put together with my family. As my work continued to develop, I began to realize I was no longer only documenting my family, but myself as a queer entity navigating in a heteronormative space as well. This project will help me understand my family so much more, allowing me to my love, respect, and admiration for them. And hopefully they will come to understand me better as well.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Hmm….let’s see. I am a huge fan of art museums so I’d most likely take them to the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) or the Met (The Metropolitan Museum of Art). There’s also the High Line, one of my favorite places in the city that overlooks the piers and is close by to the Whitney Museum of American Art. I’m a very picky eater when it comes to going out to eat but I recently went to a Japanese BBQ place called Gyu-Kaku and WOW! Super amazing! Definitely would take my friends there anytime!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh! There are so SO many people that come to mind when it comes to this! First and foremost, my family. For letting me be able to have them be a major part/driving force within my work and for their continuous support. There are also my friends who have seen my work continue to develop and grow with their insightful critiques and energy. Lastly, would be my fav professors from undergrad, Evie McKenna & Ann Weathersby. I am very thankful for their guidance and genuine care for me as an artist and their assistance for me to be able to find my voice within my art.

Website: https://www.edwardgia.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edward.gia/