TIME WILL TELL | By C'est La Zee

The first exhibit for Xiana Gutierrez, ‘Time Will Tell’ explores a selection of photographs delving into the idea of having faith in the unseen.

Hosted on Gutierrez's 30th birthday at Dumbo House—a venue where she has cultivated much of her creative network and identity—the exhibit represents a significant full-circle moment. The featured images include her first printed photograph taken after a night shift in the ICU, intimate family moments in her uncle's backyard in Nassau to historic moments in music history at last year's Hip Hop 50 celebration at Yankee Stadium.

"Time Will Tell" invites viewers to reflect on their own experiences of trust, patience, and the unseen forces that shape our futures. This exhibit is a testament to the human spirit's enduring ability to believe in possibilities that have yet to unfold.

Please see below to view the featured photos.

To contact Gutierrez, please see the links below.

Harlem Viaduct
Harlem, New York, May 2019

Captured after a night shift in the ICU, Gutierrez captured a viaduct she passed everyday after work. One month after she purchased her first camera and the first photo of her own she ever printed.

Uncle Gene
Nassau, Bahamas, August 2023

Seen under his avocado tree in his backyard in Nassau. Uncle Gene shares stories of his own moments experimenting with film and photography from his younger days.

The Iphill Tree
Nassau, Bahamas, ~1945, Photographer unknown

One of the oldest photos of Gutierrez’s maternal family - the photographer’s grandmother is shown sitting on her mother’s lap amongst her siblings.

Ana Dolores Castro Guzman
Dominican Republic, ~1950, Photographer unknown

The photographer's paternal great-grandmother was captured speaking to news outlets in the Dominican Republic after her son, Gregorio Garcia Castro, a well-known reporter in the country, was assassinated for reporting against the government.

Erica Ford
Yankee Stadium, Hip Hop 50, August 2023

Amongst the audience during the Hip Hop 50 Live Concert, Erica Ford, a stranger at the time, caught the photographer’s eye - capturing a moment that feels solitary, but comforting all in one. Similar to the experience of creative exploration described by Gutierrez as “navigating self identity while still building community.”

Zoe
Far Rockaway, April 2021

One of Xiana's earlier personal projects, Zoe (in frame) was caught mid sentence while her mom finished her perfect puffs - taking Xiana back to moments of her own childhood and many other young black girls in the ‘90’s.

The Iphill Kids
Nassau, Bahamas, August 2023

A moment of childish joy captured amongst the 3 of the 4 living siblings from the family tree above. None older than 10 years old in the photo above, they are now captured at ages 80, 84, and 78.

Ana Dolores and Domingo Israel
lDominican Republic, ~1960, Artist unknown

A portrait of the photographer's paternal grandparents painted in their home country of the Dominican Republic.

Lauryn Hill
Yankee Stadium, Hip Hop 50, August 2023

A New Jersey native captured by a fellow Jersey girl, Lauryn Hill, performing with the Fugees at the 2023 Hip Hop 50 Anniversary at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY.

Lil Wayne
Yankee Stadium, Hip Hop 50, August 2023

Lil Wayne performing at the Hip Hop 50 Anniversary celebration. One of the photographer’s all-time favorite rappers. A first for Gutierrez and a dream come true; her younger self listened to the artist daily in her teenage years.

Brittany in Studio
Brooklyn, NY, April 2023

A collaboration that began as a test shoot after the photographer had been in a creative rut. Three artists - Brittany Hayles, a model and modeling coach (in frame), Chloe Baltimore - makeup artist, and Gutierrez came together to create a modern interpretation of Grace Jones. Ironically, Dumbo House served as the gateway where these artists would first meet.

Nyja in Studio 2
Belleville, NJ, April 2022

Captured in a photograph, but shaped by R&B. This studio portrait of Nyja would pay homage to Janet Jackson’s 1993 album “Janet.”

Trinidad James
The Shed, July 2023

Captured in his lucky red suit. Trinidad James, a friend of Gutierrez, performed some of his new and older songs inside of a spherical music venue located at Hudson Yards.

50 Years of Hip Hop
Yankee Stadium, Hip Hop 50, August 2023

A moment within the moment. Catching the lasting impact RUN DMC has had on Adidas and the Hip Hop community, the crowd at Yankee Stadium held up their RUN DMC memorabilia as the group performed. A nod to their 1980's performance at Madison Square Garden of "My Adidas" where the crowd (all in Adidas Superstar a.k.a shell toes) was instructed to take off one shoe and hold it in the air.

Nyja in Studio 1
Belleville, NJ, April 2022

A natural progression in ideas amongst two creatives - Nyja (in frame), showcases her signature nails and accessory handscape. A simple favorite for the photographer. The subject’s hair and pose acts as a medium to bring balance in the portrait.

Hailey in Studio
Weehawken, NJ, January 2022

One of the images from a collection of work that became Gutierrez’s first published single cover art in support of Hailey Kilgore’s single “Hold Me”.

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Harlem Viaduct Harlem, New York, May 2019 Captured after a night shift in the ICU, Gutierrez captured a viaduct she passed everyday after work. One month after she purchased her first camera and the first photo of her own she ever printed.

Uncle Gene Nassau, Bahamas, August 2023 Seen under his avocado tree in his backyard in Nassau. Uncle Gene shares stories of his own moments experimenting with film and photography from his younger days.

The Iphill Tree Nassau, Bahamas, ~1945, Photographer unknown One of the oldest photos of Gutierrez’s maternal family - the photographer’s grandmother is shown sitting on her mother’s lap amongst her siblings.

Zoe Far Rockaway, April 2021 One of Xiana's earlier personal projects, Zoe (in frame) was caught mid sentence while her mom finished her perfect puffs - taking Xiana back to moments of her own childhood and many other young black girls in the ‘90’s.

The Iphill Kids Nassau, Bahamas, August 2023 A moment of childish joy captured amongst the 3 of the 4 living siblings from the family tree above. None older than 10 years old in the photo above, they are now captured at ages 80, 84, and 78.

Ana Dolores and Domingo Israel lDominican Republic, ~1960, Artist unknown A portrait of the photographer's paternal grandparents painted in their home country of the Dominican Republic.

Lauryn Hill Yankee Stadium, Hip Hop 50, August 2023 A New Jersey native captured by a fellow Jersey girl, Lauryn Hill, performing with the Fugees at the 2023 Hip Hop 50 Anniversary at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY.

Lil Wayne Yankee Stadium, Hip Hop 50, August 2023 Lil Wayne performing at the Hip Hop 50 Anniversary celebration. One of the photographer’s all-time favorite rappers. A first for Gutierrez and a dream come true; her younger self listened to the artist daily in her teenage years.

Nyja in Studio 2 Belleville, NJ, April 2022 Captured in a photograph, but shaped by R&B. This studio portrait of Nyja would pay homage to Janet Jackson’s 1993 album “Janet.”

Trinidad James The Shed, July 2023 Captured in his lucky red suit. Trinidad James, a friend of Gutierrez, performed some of his new and older songs inside of a spherical music venue located at Hudson Yards.

Nyja in Studio 1 Belleville, NJ, April 2022 A natural progression in ideas amongst two creatives - Nyja (in frame), showcases her signature nails and accessory handscape. A simple favorite for the photographer. The subject’s hair and pose acts as a medium to bring balance in the portrait.

Hailey in Studio Weehawken, NJ, January 2022 One of the images from a collection of work that became Gutierrez’s first published single cover art in support of Hailey Kilgore’s single “Hold Me”.