Meet BDC Volunteer Edward Grattan

STORY BY ITZEL ROBLES

PHOTOS BY EDWARD GRATTAN

Published Dec 2023

Edward Grattan, 32, originally from El Salvador but raised in Missouri, has called the United States home since the young age of six. Recently, Grattan has started as a volunteer at the Bronx Documentary Center (BDC), coming in to help once a month or more depending on what exciting events the BDC puts on. His enthusiasm for immersing himself in the diverse array of events hosted by the Bronx Documentary Center is evident, spanning from exhibitions to film screenings to panel discussions. Reflecting on his time in New York, Grattan says, “In the last two years that I’ve been in New York, the BDC has been one of the places I’ve frequented the most.”

Grattan’s connection with the BDC goes back to his college days at the University of Missouri. He became familiar with the work of the BDC through the ‘True False’ film festival at the University; it left a lasting impression on him, transforming his perception of photography. Fast-forward a decade later, and Grattan decided to relocate to New York and began to volunteer at the BDC.

Alongside his volunteer work, Grattan actively participates in various workshops that enrich his skill set. He’s taken part in the journalism workshop led by seasoned photojournalists Mike Kamber and Victor Blue. He also participated in Brian Young’s printmaking workshop, allowing him to reconnect with an art form he explored during his high school years. He expressed admiration for Young’s mentorship and said, “Learning from someone like Brian Young is invaluable.”

As he continued to immerse himself in the art of photography, Grattan discovered a growing passion for the craft. Grattan says, “I didn’t find [a camera] as a tool until my mid-20s.”. Grattan initiated his photographic journey by collaborating with NGOs and nonprofits, non-governmental, learning more about immigration and documentation issues. He used his lens to tell stories that showed his active involvement in emergency response and long-term support for asylum seekers on Lesbos in the Aegean.

Capturing the lives of these asylum seekers struck a chord for him, given his family’s deeply-rooted history with the immigration experience. “Immigration is a huge part of my family’s history,” said Grattan about his newfound interest in photographing the lives of immigrants, “I wanted to do it more in-depth.”

Throughout his time at the BDC, Grattan has enjoyed seeing artists discuss their work in person rather than viewing their images in a book. The BDC’s Latin American Photo Festival left a strong impression on him, introducing him to a range of Latin American artists and their work. Grattan now travels between multiple projects in El Salvador and NYC. He’s documented life, politics, and social issues in his home country while dedicating himself to smaller-scale projects in NYC.

“The Bronx Documentary Center is a catalyst for a lot of people. You get opportunities to do workshops, and portfolio reviews, and they offer a lot of resources...I try to bring people to the BDC as often as possible,” Grattan says, “I hope people come to this space and realize how unique and supportive it is.”