In this episode of Defying Gravity, host Sarad Davenport engages in a compelling conversation with Charlottesville-based photographer Eze Amos. Eze recounts his unconventional journey into photography, from studying hydrology to becoming a renowned photojournalist who has documented pivotal moments in Charlottesville’s history, including the Unite the Right rallies. The discussion then shifts to Eze’s latest impactful project, “Charlottesville Front Porch Portraits: Five Years Later,” currently exhibited at Second Street Gallery.
Eze details how this collaborative effort with fellow photographers Tom Daly, Kristen Finn, John Robinson, and Sarah Cramer Shields captured over 1,000 portraits of the Charlottesville community during the initial year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Inspired by a similar project, they photographed families and individuals on their porches, providing a safe way for people to connect visually during isolation and raising over $40,000 to support local artists and gig workers.
The conversation delves into the emotional experience of creating these portraits and the profound impact of revisiting them five years later in a public exhibition. Eze highlights how the project serves as a “reflective mirror,” prompting reflection on the unprecedented era, the community’s resourcefulness, and its inherent resilience. A unique and heartwarming aspect of the exhibition is that the featured individuals and families will receive their printed portraits at the close of the show. Tune in to hear Eze’s powerful insights on community, crisis, and the enduring power of visual storytelling.
- The address of Second Street Gallery: 115 2nd St. SE, Charlottesville, VA, 22902
- The gallery’s operating hours (Wed-Fri 11 AM – 5 PM, Sat 10 AM – 4 PM).