Ana Gavilanes

Artist Statement

I’m a senior documentary production student at Ithaca College, with minors in photography and history. From ages 8 to 16 and beyond, I played bass every day, thinking I had to dedicate my life to music even though it never fully felt like me. Growing up, I hated school and struggled to focus, finding most things boring except the occasional moment that held my attention. The only time I truly felt present or good was when I listened to music, but instead of hearing it, I saw images. I told myself I should become a musician, but it felt like a burden, like I was working toward being someone else instead of the best version of myself. The truth was that music didn’t inspire me to create sound, it inspired visuals that would flood my mind, and that feeling was the most natural and exciting thing I had. Taking Intro to Photography was the best thing that ever happened to me because it finally showed me what my soul wanted to do and why I am on this planet. It felt like discovering something that worked perfectly with how my brain operates, allowing me to turn those visions into something real and giving me a true sense of purpose.