Rhode Island photographer Nico Amato’s series ‘State of the Union’ considers the complexities of American identity today.
“A torn, sun-faded American flag hung stretched across a doorway. This is the first image in my 'State of the Union' series. It stopped me, because it felt more like a barrier than a welcome, an eerie feeling for such a familiar symbol.”
FIND THE PHOTO
Billboard coming soon—watch this space for updates as we celebrate this photographer and their work on their own billboard in their state.
“As someone building a career from the smallest state in the union, it means a lot to represent Rhode Island specifically, and to bring my work to people who might never step into a gallery.
I have been using VSCO since I picked up my first camera in high school in 2015, so this is a real full-circle moment for me, especially as I stepped into the fine-art world professionally this year.”
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Nico Amato is an emerging fine-art photographer based in Bristol, Rhode Island, working primarily in motion blur imagery. His work has been shown in juried exhibitions across New England, including the NHAA Lotte Jacobi show, where he was presented the Artist Under 30 Award.
He is driven to create images that provoke a response and create pause. Originally from California, he currently resides on the New England coast, where much of his recent work is rooted.
