Senior photography and art history student Zach Carrico's college career culminates this Saturday with a bachelor of fine arts degree from Herron School of Art and Design. Carrico, a native of Lafayette, Indiana, uses art and imagery as a way to express queer identity and the political climate around the LGBTQ+ community.
"I choose IUPUI because I felt that the environment would encourage me to understand my identity more and allow my identity to impact my academics and vice versa. Creating photography that speaks to my non-binary gender identity and sharing that with a class of my peers is so validating," said Carrico.
In addition to coursework, Carrico took a love of photography and art and applied it at the IUPUI Campus Center's Cultural Arts Gallery as a gallery assistant. Starting in the gallery in 2015, Carrico worked there throughout undergrad, while also serving as the gallery photographer and promotions manager.
In addition to working behind the scenes, Carrico has had photography showcased in a number of venues. In November 2017, the Cultural Arts Gallery's "Military Tattoos @ IUPUI" exhibition featured images of 30 IUPUI veterans taken by Carrico and Shelby Flora. Last fall, Carrico's photograph titled "pansies" was published in IUPUI's genesis literature and art magazine, which has been publishing the outstanding creative work of our students since 1972.
"At IUPUI, I was able to grow and develop my identity and also mature within my photography and artwork to articulate what queer identity means to me," said Carrico.
After the tassel turn and celebration with fellow classmates, Carrico envisions a future in fashion photography.
