Hello, I’m Gia Strang—an abstract sculptor who finds inspiration in the discarded, the weathered, and the industrial. I work primarily with Industrial waste steel pipe, transforming what was once functional infrastructure into dynamic works of art. Now in the latter half of my 50s, I create from a small but lively backyard studio in Boise, Idaho, the place I’ve called home since settling here in 2018. My practice is grounded in curiosity, physicality, and a desire to reveal beauty where it’s least expected.

My path to becoming an artist was far from traditional. Long before welding torches lit my studio, the structure and intensity of military life shaped my approach to work and creativity. Over 16 years in the Air Force and Air Force Reserves, I served as both a Satellite Communications Maintenance technician and a Navigational Aids Flight Inspection technician—roles that demanded precision, resilience, and a deep respect for complex systems. Those experiences directly influence my choice of medium and the methods I use today. Metalwork requires persistence, problem-solving, and a desire to work with your hands. In many ways, my military years laid the foundation for the patience, discipline, and grit that metal sculpture demands.

Life has also been enriched by my marriage to my husband, a retired Navy Diver whose career immersed him in environments that most people never see. His understanding of working with obscure, often unforgiving materials and landscapes mirrors my own fascination with the overlooked. Together, we’ve raised three children, navigating the balancing act of service, creativity, and family. Parenthood has taught me flexibility, humility, and the ability to shift perspective—skills that inevitably find their way into my work.