Nick Lents

Born in Russia to Armenian parents, Nicholas Lents was adopted by two dads and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. After studying Global Studies at Hamline University, Nick committed to his passion for photography and enrolled in the BFA program at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design where his artistic practice has spanned multiple photographic formats and modes of thinking, encompassing digital and analog processes. Nick's exploration of the subtleties, repeating patterns, and underrepresented identities all reveal hidden stories of beauty amidst precarity. A gay man himself, Nick hopes that his photography can serve as a space where audiences can consider the intersections of identity, sexuality, notions of belonging and home, self- and artistic expression. Nick is currently working on several ongoing projects. In "Dropped Connections," Nick delves into the intersection of modern life and US railways, encouraging viewers to reflect on the influence of mechanical and technological infrastructure in our social and personal lives. With "Everything the Old Country Has Forgotten and Nothing the New Country Has Seen Before" Nick explores the Armenian diasporic community, capturing poignant portraits that celebrate Armenian culture and bridge the gaps of identity and belonging.  "All the Empty Spaces" surveys the small vistas and corners of public parks when empty, all showing potential for human interconnectivity.