About

Akira Reinhardt (b.1999) is an Indonesian-American artist who uses photography as a means to communicate their ideas rather than using words. Growing up, they have always wanted to be an artist. From holding crayons as a toddler to flipping through a career book and settling on “photographer” at age eleven, their childhood goal has been fulfilled with the support of their dysfunctional family.

While frequently experiencing existential crises, Akira’s work walks the borders between nostalgic adolescence, gender & racial identity, as well as the enhancement of the mundane. Analog processes of all varieties are of interest to Akira as they want to be able to live in between the traditional and digital world. Their work is almost exclusively shot on film, however, they believe in using any camera they have at that specific moment. In 2023, they purchased a used Fujifilm X-E3 as the price of film and film processing continues to rise.

After receiving their BFA in photography from the University of the Arts, Akira hopes to extend their adolescent related images into working with real-world youth who need guidance into adulthood. In 2024, they accepted a position as a paraprofessional at an all special needs K-21+ school. Similar to Holden Caulfield of Catcher in the Rye, they wish to see all children hold onto their innocence until it is time to jump off the cliff.