photograph by Jennifer Teresa Villanueva
Edward Gia is a Ecuadorian-Mexican American visual artist from New York, NY who is currently based in Austin, TX. His work delves into the complexities of his queer identity within the confines of heteronormative and religious frameworks. Utilizing the snapshot aesthetic, their photographs evoke nostalgia, particularly evident in their approach to portraiture and the documentation of their surrounding spaces. Beyond personal narratives, they engage with religious iconography, moving beyond mere reference to explore the intricate connections between gender, sexuality, and morality. This exploration extends beyond the individual, intertwining with broader themes such as immigration and the enduring bonds across generations. Their work has been featured at the School of Visual Arts, Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio, The Lucie Foundation, among others. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a focus in Photography & Video from the School of Visual Arts (2020) and is currently pursuing his Master of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art at The University of Texas at Austin (anticipated completion in 2026).
Education:
2026 MFA, Studio Art, The University of Texas at Austin (expected)
2020 BFA, Photography & Video, School of Visual Arts
Solo Exhibition:
2020 (DIS)CONNECTED, School of Visual Arts, New York, NY
Group Exhibitions:
2024 Stories of Self Portraiture, Salz-Pollak Atrium Gallery, Fullerton, CA
2024 Mapping Perspectives, Throughline Collective, Houston, TX
2023 Counterpart, Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio, Southampton, NY
2022 Anima Mundi 2022 - Visions, Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello, Venice, Italy
2022 Free to Be, Culture Lab LIC at the Plaxall Gallery, Long Island City, NY
2021 Notions of Home, The Lucie Foundation, Online Exhibition (Finalist: Environment/Landscape/Urban/Street/Backyards/Gardens)
2020 Picture Library, School of Visual Arts, New York, NY
2020 2020 Visions, School of Visual Arts, New York, NY
2020 The Narrative Scale, School of Visual Arts, New York, NY
2020 There is No Person Without a World (Senior Thesis Show), School of Visual Arts, NY
Artist Talk:
2025 The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
2020 Marble Hill Camera Club, New York, NY (Online)
Selected Awards:
2024 Russell Lee Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Photography
2024 William and Bettye Nowlin Endowed Presidential Fellowship in Photography
2021 La Luz Workshops Scholarship: “Finding Your Audience: An Introduction to Marketing Your Photographs” With Mary Virginia Swanson
2020 La Luz Workshops Scholarship: “Circumferences of Self” with Richard Renaldi and Special Guest Doug Dobuois
2020 School of Visual Arts BFA Photography Hub Award
2016 School of Visual Arts Chairman’s Merit Award
Selected Publications:
2023 Float Photo Magazine: Home is Where
2022 Fraction Media Issue 157: 14th Anniversary Issue
2021 Pearl Press Issue No. 7: Unorthodox
2021 Booooooom Magic Hour