Troy describes how most of his artistic influences have been informed by his early life and the world around him. In his own words: “Being raised in the rich cultural hub of 1980’s Brixton endowed me with a kind of privilege, yes money was low, yes police occupation in my neighborhood was plenty and aggressive, yes our parents had to make regular trips to the school to address teachers because of the prejudice we as children were receiving, etc…  But with those everyday struggles, there was also another side to our story outside of all of the daily stereotypes of black existence. Life may have been hard but

I, like so many of my generation, lived a reality that was rich in perspective. This is the kind of perspective that comes from the necessity of understanding your place from the margins.”

Troy Edwards’ body of work is heavily inspired by his life, being spoiled with love and education from so many strong black women around him, from his mother to the many extended “aunties and cousins” of his community. And encouraged by the teachings and support of his father who had spent his entire life fighting alongside his peers in the UK’s black freedom struggles.

Growing up as a black man who was raised in the eighties, living in a predominantly West Indian community and working class in the city of London have informed the lens through which Troy creates art, in the narratives of love, intimacy, womanhood, black womanhood, and black humanity that he manifests into his portraiture work.