10 Questions with Ava Goodwin

Ava Goodwin grew up in New York City. She graduated from Denison University with a minor in studio art and a focus in photography. Now living and working in New York, she pursues photography in her free time. At 22 years old, she shoots on film and focuses on young adults as her primary subjects.

@amgonfilm

ARTIST STATEMENT

Born and raised in the heart of New York City, Ava Goodwin wanted a change. In favor of a break from city life, she chose to attend college in rural Ohio. In order to portray the adjustment to country life, Ava chose models from big US cities (New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh). She styled and photographed them among the farmland of central Ohio.

INTERVIEW

You are very young, but you have already developed very interesting projects. When did you decide to become an artist, and how did you start experimenting with art?

I have to give most of the credit to my mother for my artistic career. Growing up, my mom recognized my interest in art and encouraged me to pursue it. She signed me up for classes, took me to museums, and always provided me with the supplies I needed. This really allowed me to foster my artistic talents, and I am so thankful for her support!

What do you wish you knew about Contemporary Art before you got started?

I wish I knew what a great resource the internet is for contemporary art. I think if you don’t have access to museums or classes, you can find so much information online. You can find articles and blogs, join artist communities, and publish your own work! 

You primarily work with photography. How did you choose this medium, and what does it represent for you?

As a member of Generation Z, I find photography to be a valuable tool. With the rise of social media, being able to take good photographs has become a particularly useful skill. In addition, the circulation of images has become far more rapid and widespread. For the first time, young people have the ability to share images all across the world from their phones. I think these were the large factors that motivated me to choose photography as my primary medium. 

In your statement, you mention how, when going to college, you opted for rural Ohio to mark a change from the urban landscape of New York City, where you were born and raised. How did you originally come up with this idea? And what did this experience teach you?

While I love New York City, and it is my home, I thought it was important to get a break from the fast-paced lifestyle. I also wanted a more traditional American college experience. One with a campus, football field, and cute town. The experience taught me a lot about how to take care of myself and forced me to explore what really makes me happy.

What did you discover about yourself and your work while living in Ohio? And how do you apply this lesson to your art?

Without so much going on, I was able to spend a lot more time working on myself and living life. With less of a rigid schedule, I had more time to get creative. This is a super important lesson I can and have applied to my art. Allowing myself the time and freedom to get creative is an important step for me.

What other themes do you pursue in your work? 

A lot of my work is female-focused. I think it is important to de-center the male gaze, and I play my part in doing so through photography. My most recent series consisted of female skateboarders in Barcelona. I wanted to shine a light on the women who pursue what is traditionally considered a masculine hobby.
Another theme I focus on in my work is mental health. As someone who has struggled with depression in the past, I find the topic fascinating and important. I recently completed a digital series, photographing the different pills and medications different college students take to stabilize their mental health.

And where do you find inspiration?

I don’t think this answer is the most professional, but I find a lot of inspiration on Tumblr. Seriously, it is a treasure trove for photography and art. 

What do you hope that the public takes away from this work?

I hope that the public learns a little about the Midwest landscape. I feel like cornfields and hay-bails are rarely represented in photography. Hopefully, these images will be different than what the public is used to seeing. My aim is always to represent the positive side of the female gaze. I hope my photos are perceived as whimsical and fun without being considered frivolous or sexual. However, what each person ultimately takes away from my art is out of my hands.

Is there anything else you would like to experiment with? Any medium, new technique, or theme you would like to tackle?

I recently got a new 90s Fisheye film camera that I’ve been dying to try out! I also would like to get more comfortable with a digital camera. 

Do you have any upcoming shows or collaborations you are looking forward to? 

No upcoming shows or collaborations, but I plan to continue taking photographs. I feel very lucky for the opportunity to be featured here. 

Finally, where do you see yourself and your work five years from now?

I will still be pursuing photography! My aim is for my art to continue to be personal and authentic. I want to be able to improve technically and continue to explore different aspects of my life through the lens of my camera. I can’t wait to see what photo projects I will pursue in the future!

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.