Check out Gina DeGideo’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina DeGideo.

Gina, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I came to art from a young age and found photography and the darkroom early on, since at the time that was the only way to really make your own prints! Eventually, I took the leap to pursue my passion for photography by attending one of the top photo programs in the country at Arizona State University.

After graduating, I wanted to contribute to the greater art world and to the gallery system, which had influenced me so much as a young artist. I spent over six years managing an art space in Arizona’s East Valley.

I’ve independently curated several exhibitions and taught many art workshops in a variety of processes and subjects related to art. Two years ago I also co-founded a non-profit for youth arts education. I have been making my own art for over ten years with a focus in photography, bookmaking, and mixed media.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Whenever I make art I pull from my own experiences, from things I know intimately. As an Arizona native, I am very connected to the land and desert and often explore the human/natural world relationship in my work.

For the past several years I have been making photographic art with a very simple plastic toy camera and film, photographing only things that are in my regular daily path. I began this journey when I was caring for a young son every day and was finding it difficult to take time away from him to “go make art.” One day I decided to take the materials I already had and just begin responding photographically to what was already in my daily route, from the school playground, to a trip to Mom’s house, walking my dog, doing landscaping, whatever it was and wherever I was heading, just to make! Because I was working with such little equipment and in a somewhat rushed way, most of the control, composition, and timing was thrown out the window. It became a very freeing and enlightening experience and a deeper metaphor for life in general. After photographing, I would dedicate one half-day a week to processing my film and printing it in the darkroom. These hours spent in the quiet, meditating on the work allows me to appreciate the beautiful spiritual moments found within my chaotic daily routine.

I create work because I have found it is essential for me to maintain an emotionally healthy life. I share my work because I have benefitted so much from artists who have shared with me, so I feel it’s only right to also contribute. I hope someone will feel a connection to what I present.

Do current events, local or global, affect your work and what you are focused on?
I don’t necessarily think the role of the artist has changed today, we have always been thought-provokers, conversation-starters, activists, and storytellers; however, I think the way in which we can and do interact with our audience is drastically different than it was ten years ago. It is amazing that we can reach so many people so quickly and in such an intangible way. That virtual connection can be a great benefit, yet the unmatched experience of being in a room full of physical artwork is now lessened for so many. Due to the ease of accessibility online for both makers and viewers and an oversaturated daily stream of imagery, specifically in photography, I have also noticed a shift of perception of what is “good” art, or what a quality print looks like to most people today.

Since my work has always had a personal tie, it tends to shift more so with my own changing mindset, than with politics or social issues. Certain things though, such as economic hardships, have created interesting landscapes and subjects and have forced me to create with the tools I already had, not what I couldn’t afford, which inadvertently affected and strengthened my art making.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I am an artist with Eye Lounge Gallery in downtown Phoenix and have work on exhibit there regularly. I will be debuting the first-ever solo show of the aforementioned series “Along the Way” at Eye Lounge from January 18 – February 10, 2019.

I am a big proponent of supporting living artists by collecting their work. I collect art and try to support my fellow artists financially whenever I can. My work is intentionally priced affordably to encourage collecting across a broader spectrum. I am always thrilled when someone wants to live with a piece of mine forever! If you cannot purchase artwork, you can show support by helping to promote me and other artists on social media, by attending events in person, and by connecting patrons who might be interested in our work with us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ginadegideo.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginadegideo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ginadegideo
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GinaDeGideo

Image Credit:
James Hajicek, Gina DeGideo

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