Photographer Mia Aigotti found her artistic calling as the result of an injury she sustained while training as a kickboxer.
"I had a stress fracture in my back, and I was in a cast, so I couldn't continue training and I had a lot of free time," explains the 24-year-old. "I had been in social work for a year and I had always had this hobby as a photographer and I just thought there must be a way to combine the two."
Aigotti, who is a self-taught photographer, began attending rallies, marches- any event that showcased a political message or a gathering of social diversity, like Chinese New Year. In October, she attended the anti-brutality rally, shot a series of pictures and sold them to Outlines and Streetwise.
"I am moved by images and events that have a political message. I want my work to be controversial and what I mean by that is that I want it to challenge the status quo-specifically in regards to race and gender. I want people to stop and look at one of the photographs and say 'I can't believe she put this up, what is she trying to say?'"
Aigotti, who makes her gallery debut with the High Risk gallery project, usually shoots in both black and white and in color. Sometimes, she will take a black and white photograph and paint in a color to add depth and dimension.
"It's not on my mind to paint a black and white photo when I take the picture. Its usually after I see the picture that I decide if color should be added and how it should be added."
High Risk Gallery is open Thursday and Friday 4-7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday Noon-4 p.m. There are more than 40 artists in the show, which runs through June 30, 1115 W. Belmont.