ARTS FEATURE
MAKE IT LOUD
In the Line of Sight features Joshua Galloway’s protest images
Pg. 10 JAN 13 - JAN 26, 2021 - QCNERVE.COM
BY BRIANNA MONROE
Charlotte photographer Joshua Galloway has been in the industry for around 12 years. His work has been featured in several nationally known publications including Essence and Ebony magazines. This month, however, he’ll check off one milestone that he calls his top accomplishment beside becoming his own boss as a full-time photographer. On Jan. 21, Galloway’s work will be featured in a new exhibit at The Light Factory titled In the Line of Sight, which highlights his coverage of the Black Lives Matter movement during the summer of 2020. With the exhibit, Galloway aims to provide a truth to the Black narrative while inspiring racial inclusivity in the local photography scene. Galloway, now 31, came to his photography journey through graphic design, a passion of his while studying computer science at Fayetteville State University before transferring to UNC Charlotte in 2009. As he began to get deeper into graphic design, he came to the realization that he needed quality pictures to accompany his work. That’s what led to Galloway purchasing his first camera, a Nikon D3000. Since then, he’s built a name for himself both as a portrait artist and photojournalist. (Full disclosure: Queen City Nerve hired Galloway to help cover protests in Uptown in June 2020.)
For his portraiture work, Galloway uses a prime lens, which doesn’t have the ability to zoom, so he’s known for bending himself into abstract positions to get the shot he wants, forming a “human tripod,” as he calls it, to get the best angles. He said he utilizes his past experience with dance as well as track and field to help him bust out moves while he works with clients. After all, the client isn’t the only person that should be moving during a shoot, Galloway said. “We should be dancing. I should be dancing too.” For the work featured in his new exhibit, however, Galloway put himself in precarious positions that had more to do with dodging tear gas and batons than getting the right angle.
is located in the back of the International House on Central Avenue. He said he never felt qualified to be featured at The Light Factory, as he hadn’t seen many Black artists centered in the space. The connection came from John Davis, a local photographer, owner of Jetpack Photos and a mentor to Galloway. Davis introduced Galloway to Kay Tuttle, executive director of The Light Factory, via group text, which led to an in-person meeting between Tuttle and Galloway at a local coffee shop. Galloway arrived at the meeting a bit shaken, as he had been followed by a police officer on his way there. This naturally led to a passionate conversation between Tuttle, a white woman, and Galloway, a A CHARLOTTE PROTESTER IN SUMMER 2020. PHOTO BY JOSHUA GALLOWAY younger Black man, about the Black Lives events and exhibits, a door was opened for In the Matter movement. Looking back at that first meeting, Line of Sight. “COVID opened the opportunity for change,” Tuttle said it felt like she had “known said Tuttle, though 2021 brought more change to [Josh] forever.” They’ve become close The Light Factory than how they book events. friends since, meeting regularly to discuss Inspired partly by her conversations with not only the exhibit but the goings on of Galloway and by other factors, including a broad the country. Tuttle made it her goal to help racial reckoning that occurred following Black Lives Galloway get exposure through a new Matters protests across the country, Tuttle went to exhibit, while Galloway made it his goal work on increasing inclusivity at The Light Factory. While the gallery was closed for COVID, Tuttle to educate Tuttle on issues in the Black rearranged her staff and the way they operate, community, while also pushing for more inclusion for people of color at The Light bringing on more people of color and holding regular meetings to educate staff on issues facing Factory. JOSHUA GALLOWAY minority communities. PHOTO BY ANTHONY MACKLIN In 2021, Tuttle hopes to launch a residency Change comes to The Light program devoted to providing photographers of Factory color with equipment and guidance needed to An unlikely friendship blooms from According to Tuttle, her meeting with Galloway elevate their creative endeavors. came at an opportune time. a chance meeting She told Queen City Nerve she would like for Exhibits are usually booked at least three years Galloway to facilitate and lead this program, she just Although he’s been familiar with The Light Factory for years, this is Joshua’s first time working in advance, Tuttle explained, but with the COVID-19 needs to find the funding first. with the Plaza Midwood photography studio, which pandemic forcing the cancellation of multiple
