Gus Powell

Bio

Gus Powell, born in the vibrant heart of New York in 1974, has carved a distinctive niche in contemporary photography that weaves together personal narrative and the broader human experience. A graduate of Oberlin College with a major in comparative religion, Powell's academic background informs his deep exploration of the emotional landscapes within his work. In 2003, he earned recognition as one of PDN's 30 photographers under 30, a pivotal moment that coincided with the release of his first monograph, *The Company of Strangers* (J&L Books). Since then, Powell's evocative imagery has been showcased in esteemed venues around the globe, including a solo exhibition at The Museum of the City of New York and group shows at The Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and FOAM in the Netherlands. His photography has graced the pages of prestigious publications such as Aperture, Harper's, Vogue, M le magazine du Monde, Wired, and Fortune, with Powell being a regular to The New Yorker. As a dedicated member of the street photographers’ collective UP, he passionately engages with the urban narrative. Additionally, he imparts his expertise as a faculty member in the MFA Photography, Video, and Related Media Department at the School of Visual Arts in New York. Powell's contributions to the field are further underscored by his inclusion in influential volumes like *Bystander: A World History of Street Photography* and *Street Photography Now*. His second monograph, *The Lonely Ones* (J&L Books, 2015), was hailed as one of the year's finest photography books and later reprinted as a trilingual edition in Italy by Lazy Dog / Mutty in 2017. In 2019, he released his third monograph, *Family Car Trouble* (TBW Books), a groundbreaking work that blurs the boundaries between novel and narrative, delving into themes of parenthood, loss, and the peculiarities of maintaining a 1993 Volvo 940 Turbo station wagon. This innovative exploration has been celebrated as a new classic within the burgeoning genre of Automotive Bereavement Parenting. Currently residing in Brooklyn, NY, Powell is energetically working on a new series titled *Mise en Scene*, promising to further enrich his already captivating body of work.