Artist Reception: Friday, April 12, 6-9 pm, artist in attendance Lydia Street Gallery is proud to present internationally acclaimed photographer Gabriele Galimberti’s first US exhibition of “Ameriguns” & “Toy Stories”. The portraits in both “The Ameriguns” and “Toy Stories” are displayed in sharp contrast yet both convey people’s love, comfort, and pride in their collections. The people in these images are from all walks of life, with no particular political party, race, culture, or gender in favor. Ameriguns and Toy Stories deliver striking images exploring the timely issues of gun culture and the impact of modern inequalities on children. Initially commissioned by National Geographic, “The Ameriguns” has been exhibited in numerous countries, garnering attention and accolades. It seems appropriate that this exhibit finally has its due in Texas, the capital of American gun culture. Galimberti’s outsider gaze on the thorn in America’s side allows the work to be presented simply as a documentation, not a critique. He is not trying to solve our problem for us, but by directing attention and giving a face to an issue that is raw and charged. Regardless of which side of the fence viewers may reside on this issue, the respect & attention Galimberti has provided his subjects is crystal clear. In the series “Toy Stories,” Galimberti photographs children with their first possessions, noting the influence of their caretakers, socioeconomic status, and culture. Galimberti has observed that kids in rural and urban areas seem to differ in how possessive they are with their toys. Children raised in the countryside seem more carefree, perhaps, as he suspected, from having more freedom, fresh air, and/or having less possessions in general. Kids raised in cities, however, who spend more time indoors alone, are more reticent in allowing him to see, touch, or photograph their prizes. Those with few (if any) toys were, interestingly, the least possessive. Galimberti received the World Press Photo Award in 2021 in the Portrait category for “The Ameriguns” series. For more information about Gabriele Galimberti visit https://www.gabrielegalimberti.com/ Interested in scheduling a PORTRAIT SESSION? Gabriele will be scheduling a limited number of sessions when he comes into Austin from his home in Tuscany. Click HERE for more information.
